Important dates

Please be advised effective November 1, 2018, minor changes have been made to the Screen-based Production Grant (SPG). Please ensure you are referring to the most recent guidelines and supporting materials posted on this site. These changes were based on stakeholder feedback and a review of the first 3 application intake windows.

Current intake window: November 1 to November 30

Beginning in 2019, the SPG will accept applications 4 times per year through 30-day application windows.  The dates of the intake windows are as follows:

  • January 15 to February 15
  • April 15 to May 15
  • July 15 to August 15, 2018
  • October 15 to November 15

If the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, it will be extended to the next working day.

Overview

This grant, under the Alberta Media Fund, supports the growth, sustainability, competitiveness and business attraction of Alberta's screen-based production industry by:

  • promoting economic diversification and investment in the production sector
  • developing industry professionals and creating jobs
  • growing international interest in Alberta's film and television industry
  • supporting Alberta content
  • attracting work from inside and outside Alberta

Funding

The SPG covers up to 30% of eligible production costs under 2 funding envelopes:

  • Cultural Envelope for requests up to and including $3 million
  • Commercial Envelope for requests over $3 million

For each funding envelope there are 2 tiers to distinguish between Albertan and non-Albertan ownership.

Funding Envelopes Tier one: Albertan
50% or greater Albertan ownership

 

 Tier two: Non-Albertan
Less than 50% Albertan ownership

 

Cultural envelope grant requests up to and including $3 million

 Grant percentage = 29% or 30%
Maximum grant = $3 million

 

 Grant percentage = 25% or 26%
Maximum grant = $3 million

 

Commercial envelope grant requests greater than $3 million

 Grant percentage = 29% or 30%
Maximum grant = $5 million

 

 Grant percentage = 25% or 26%
Maximum grant = $5 million

 

Additional funding

One percent bonus may be granted to applicants who provide an existing corporate hiring policy or corporate policies and/or practices for inclusion of marginalized or under-represented people and/or groups. To obtain this point, applicants must provide a copy of the policy attached to the application.

Under the Commercial envelope grant, a cap increase of up to $7.5 million is available for eligible productions.

Eligible organizations

To be eligible to apply for the SPG, your organization must be:

  • engaged primarily in film, television or digital media production
  • incorporated under the Business Corporations Act, or registered as an extra-provincial company in Alberta
  • in good standing with the Corporate Registry
  • in good standing with the Alberta Media Fund

Eligible projects

Eligible projects must be new productions for broadcast or distribution. It can be a single production or a series.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that principal photography on the project will commence:

  • no more than 180 days prior to submission
  • within 250 days following the application deadline

The amount spent in Alberta on your project must be greater than $50,000, before GST.

Ineligible projects

The following projects are not eligible to receive SPG funding:

  • news, current events or public affairs programming
  • talk shows
  • sports event or activity
  • production that solicits funds
  • pornography/adult entertainment
  • advertising
  • productions for industrial, corporate or institutional purposes
  • console or online video games
  • video distribution platforms or aggregators
  • production in respect to a game or contest

How to apply

Step 1: Review the guidelines and evaluation criteria

Projects are evaluated based on a scoring process that awards points to applicants who can demonstrate the economic and cultural benefits of their production.

For applications starting November 1, 2018, please ensure you are using the November 2018 grant guidelines. Review the following guidelines and evaluation criteria to ensure you understand the requirements:

Step 2: Create an online profile

New applicants need to set up an online profile before filling out an application. To do this, email registrationAMF@gov.ab.ca with the following information:

  • first/last name
  • company name
  • preferred email address

Your login credentials will be emailed to you.

Step 3: Begin the application package

Login to the Online Grant Application System to begin your application. Refer to the Guide for Application Submission (PDF, 164 KB).

Step 4: Gather the required documents

Refer to the Submission Checklist (PDF, 292 KB) for a list of items you are required to submit with your application.

Download and complete the following forms to attach to your application package:

Step 5: Submit your application

Your application and all supporting documents must be received through the Online Grant Application System.

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on the day of the deadline. If the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend, it will be extended to the next working day at 11:59 pm.

Faxed, mailed, late or incomplete applications are not accepted.

After you apply

Applicants will be notified of eligibility prior to approval confirming the funding envelope.

If your application is approved you'll receive a letter of intent and grant agreement. The grant agreement will include a list of project deliverables and reporting requirements.

If your application is not approved you may you apply on the next intake if eligibility conditions are met.

Funding is awarded based on application scores and the highest scoring applications receive priority.

All funding decisions are final and appeals are not accepted.

Reporting

Grants are paid in 2 installments. Reporting requirements must be submitted before any portion of the grant is paid. Please review your grant agreement prior to submitting the reporting for all terms and conditions. Use of the Specified Audit Procedures does not replace the reporting requirements as outlined in the Program Guidelines and Grant Agreement. Only use the documents with the extension November 2018 for applicants with Grant Agreements issued after November 1, 2018

Login to the Online Grant Application System to complete your reporting.

Complete and submit the following forms with your reporting. You must use the reporting forms in place at the time of your application.

Statutory Declaration Forms for productions under $200,000:

Additional resources

Government of Alberta recognition statement logos

To download government logos, see the Government Identity Program webpage.

Contact

To connect with the Screen-based Production Grant program:

Phone: 780-422-8584
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: culturalindustries@gov.ab.ca