ABOUT
Designed to assist and fast-track applicants applying to Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media Fund programs. Let us help you submit a winning application!
- Recognize the key elements of business & marketing plans
- Deepen your understanding of business operations
- Learn more about budgeting and financing for IDM projects
- Enhance your project pitch
The Ontario Creates IDM Fund Futures Program is a three-day program that provides potential funding applicants (companies and individuals) with the skills required to fast-track their knowledge acquisition and enhance the competitiveness of their company when applying to the Ontario Create’s Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Concept Definition and Production programs.
The curriculum focuses on application requirements and deliverables to provide less-experienced applicants with the knowledge and resources necessary to submit a complete and well-crafted funding application.
Participants must be prepared to attend all three days of this intensive program.
More details on Ontario Creates (formerly Ontario Media Development Corporation): ontariocreates.ca
DATES
Open for member registration: October 1st, 2024
Open for scholarship applications: October 1st, 2024
Open for public registration: October 8th, 2024
Closing for scholarship applications: November 3, 2024
Closing for registration: November 10, 2024
This program runs the following dates from 9:30am-4:30pm EDT:
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Dec 5, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
LOCATION
This program will be held IN PERSON ONLY at:
Centre for Social Innovation (192 Spadina Ave.)
ELIGIBILITY
This program is targeted to:
- New companies that are led by individuals with LESS THAN three years of professional IDM content creation experience or with no previous digital media credits (e.g. a start-up company led by recent graduates); and,
- Established companies that are transitioning to IDM content creation from other industries (e.g. a film company exploring digital-first content opportunities).
Candidates must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:
- Ontario-based company (established company) or ordinarily resident in Ontario (new company);
- Screen-based professionals or entrepreneurs with less than three years of professional IDM content creation experience;
- Applicants must have an IDM Fund-eligible project that they would like to develop or produce; and,
- Successful candidates must be prepared to participate in ongoing evaluations and provide a testimonial on completion
- WIFT Toronto members and non-members (all genders) can apply provided they meet the overall eligibility requirements.
Companies should have an interest in pursuing opportunities associated with proprietary content creation, and have an IDM Fund-eligible project that they would like to produce.
2024 FEES
Workshop Fee - WIFT Toronto Members: $ 300 (+ hst)
Workshop Fee - Non Members $ 375 (+ hst)
One (1) scholarship will be available to cover program fees for a participant for this program and is made available through the Foundation for Women in Film & Television – Toronto.
SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS
*The following information is from 2023. 2024 Sessions and Instructors will be announced*
Creating a Business Plan
A well-developed business plan is essential for any project to be effectively executed. In this session, participants will review successful business plans through case studies and examples, as well as workshop their own business plans through group exercises and discussion. Emphasis will be given to the criteria required in the Ontario Creates IDM applications.
2022 Instructor: Jennifer McIlroy - Professor and Lead, Entrepreneurship and Experiential Learning - Centennial College Story Arts Centre
Business Operations
It’s not enough to be creative – it’s business. In this session, participants will get an overview of business and operational fundamentals (finance, business affairs, and human resources) and gain an understanding of how these elements work in tandem to support a company’s business and strategic plans.
2022 Instructor: Jennifer McIlroy - Professor and Lead, Entrepreneurship and Experiential Learning - Centennial College Story Arts Centre
Budgeting & Financial Considerations
Being able to clearly and concisely define the financial aspects of your project is paramount to showing responsibility for your project’s success. In this session, participants will get an overview of the budgeting and financial variables to be considered when further developing their project. Emphasis will be given to working within the framework of the Ontario Creates templates.
2022 Instructor: Sasha Boersma - Co-Founder/Producer, Sticky Brain Studios
Creating a Marketing Plan
Having a plan for marketing is not just about getting eyeballs to your project. It is also about understanding and showcasing how your project is in a unique position to satisfy your target audience and generate revenue. In this session, participants will review successful marketing plans through case studies and examples, as well as workshop their own marketing plans through group exercises and discussion. Emphasis will be given to the criteria required in the Ontario Creates funding applications.
2022 Instructor: Deb Day - Founder, CEO and Chief Strategist - Innovate By Day
Effective Pitching in the Digital Space
You know your story – now tell it and sell it! In this session, participants will learn the proper ways to “pitch” an IDM project for investors, channel partners and funding agencies. Using their own projects as examples as well as employing case studies, participants will see what makes a digital pitch different.
2022 Instructor: Marina Cordoni - President/Executive Producer - MCE