Screen-based Production Grant

Important to know

The Screen-based Production Grant (SPG) is now closed. Program delivery accountability for a new Film and Television Tax Credit is transferring to Jobs, Economy and Innovation.

Current agreements under the SPG will be honoured and active files with the SPG will continue to be administered through the Cultural Industries Branch of Alberta Culture and Status of Women.

Producers who applied to the SPG program in the May 2019 and August 2019 intakes may be eligible to apply to the Film and Television Tax Credit or a new grant program targeted towards Alberta owned small productions.

Information on the new grant program will be available on this site in the coming weeks.

Contact the Cultural Industries Branch for questions on the status of your SPG application.

Alberta Film Tax Credit Program

The Film and Television Tax Credit (FTTC) program was launched on January 29, 2020. Administered by the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, the FTTC offers a refundable Alberta tax credit certificate on eligible Alberta production and labour costs to corporations that produce films, television series and other eligible screen-based productions in the province.

For more information, see Film and Television Tax Credit or contact [email protected].

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.

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:

• Screen-based Production Grant Guidelines (PDF, 1 MB) November 2018
• Qualified Production Facilities List (PDF, 456 KB) November 2018

Step 2: Create an online profile

New applicants need to set up an online profile before filling out an application. To do this, email [email protected] with the following information:

• first and 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:

• SPG Eligible Cost Worksheet (XLSX, 82 KB) July 2019
• Evaluation Criteria Worksheet (PDF, 134 KB)
• Related Party Transaction Form (PDF, 170 KB)
• Diversity and Inclusion Tracking (DOC, 37 KB)
• Alberta Residency Confirmation Statutory Declaration (PDF, 15 KB) November 2018

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 instalments. 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.

• Deliverables Checklist (PDF, 279 KB)
• Final Eligible Cost Worksheet (XLSX, 83 KB) November 2018

Statutory Declaration Forms for productions under $200,000:

• Statutory Declaration Form – Heads of Department Positions (PDF, 1.8 MB)
• Statutory Declaration Form – Production Cost Report (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Additional resources

• Audit Procedures Guide (PDF, 334 KB)
• Definitions (PDF, 336 KB) February 2021
• Statutory Declaration Commissioning (PDF, 309 KB)

Government of Alberta recognition statement logos

To download government logos, see the Government Identity Program web page.

Contact

Connect with the SPG program:

Phone: 780-422-8584
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]