OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicant Eligibility
1.
If the ownership of my company changes while I am producing a project that has
received funding through the OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund do I have to repay
the grant?
To be considered eligible for this program companies must meet specific requirements
regarding their ownership. It is a requirement of the program that the participating
company must maintain its eligibility status until the project is complete. If, during the
course of producing the project, the ownership structure of the company changes such
that the company is no longer eligible for this program, the company may be required to
pay back the contribution received through the OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund.
Project Eligibility
2.
What do you mean by market-ready?
To receive support through the OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund a project must be
a complete product that is intended for market release at the end of production. The
program will not support the creation of prototypes or playable demos.
3.
Does my project have to be suitable for the Canadian market? Is a project that is
intended for a market outside of Canada eligible?
There is no requirement in the program that your project must be intended for the
Canadian market. Keep in mind that if you are planning on targeting another market
outside of Canada you should ensure that your application package demonstrates your
knowledge and experience in this market. Failure to do so may have an impact on the
score your project receives with respect to potential for commercial success and revenue
generation.
4.
Do I have to produce an English/French version if my project is intended for a market
where English/French is not spoken?
Yes. While you may be targeting a market outside of Canada, your product must be able
to be experienced and understood by the general population in Ontario. To satisfy this
requirement you must create a version in at least one of Canada’s two official languages English or French.
To receive further information on
OMDC programs please contact
the Coordinator, Industry
Initiatives:
175 Bloor Street East, South
Tower, Suite 501
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
T: 416-314-6858
F: 416-314-6876
[email protected]
www.omdc.on.ca
5.
Will you give priority to applications that have financing from other funding agencies
such as Telefilm Canada and the Bell Fund?
No. Applications that have received funding from other agencies will not be given
priority. However, projects with robust budgets and financing plans that include cash
contributions from third party sources will receive a higher score with respect to their
benefit to the Ontario economy than projects financed through non-cash sources.
Budget
6.
Can you provide examples to illustrate the requirement to spend twice the OMDC
contribution in Ontario?
Total Budget
OMDC
Minimum
% of Budget
Contribution
Ontario Spend
Example 1
$100,000
$50,000*
$100,000
100%
Example 2
$200,000
$50,000**
$100,000
50%
Example 3
$450,000
$150,000***
$300,000
66%
* The applicant has received the maximum amount that they are eligible for - 50% of the total budget.
** The applicant has not received the maximum amount they are eligible to request.
*** The applicant has received the maximum amount that they are eligible for - capped at $150,000.
In each of the examples above the contribution provided by OMDC (third column) must
be doubled and spent in Ontario (fourth column). Applicants are advised that these are
minimum requirements only and that projects that spend more of their budget in Ontario
will receive a higher score with respect to their benefit to the Ontario economy.
7.
To receive further information on
OMDC programs please contact
the Coordinator, Industry
Initiatives:
175 Bloor Street East, South
Tower, Suite 501
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
T: 416-314-6858
F: 416-314-6876
[email protected]
www.omdc.on.ca
How is my Ontario spend calculated? Is it based only on labour?
The Ontario spend is based on the total amount of eligible budget expenses that are
incurred in the province. It is not just based on the amount of money that you spend on
labour.
Decision Criteria
8.
How much weight does each decision criteria receive?
The decision criteria are weighted as follows:
15%
Track record of the applicant company and production team
25%
Benefit to the Ontario economy - opportunity for enhanced company revenue
and growth, Ontario labour spend, leveraging of other contributions, value of
Ontario expenditures
15%
Feasibility of the project with respect to budget, financing and production
schedule
25%
Quality, originality and creativity of the project
20%
Potential for commercial success and revenue generation
Application Material
9.
Can I send in a prototype for the project that I am proposing if it is available?
Yes. You may include a prototype for your project with your application although this is
not a requirement. Please be sure to include one copy of your prototype with each of the
four application packages that you submit. If you fail to submit the four required copies,
your prototype will not be forwarded to the jury for consideration.
10. If I have not hired staff or freelancers at the time of application I will not be able to
provide you with resumes for my team. Will this have an impact on your decision?
While you may not have formally contracted staff or freelancers for your project,
applicants are advised to include resumes for the “front runner” who they are considering
for key positions. You must be able to demonstrate that your team has access to the skills
and knowledge required to produce the proposed product.
Tax Credits
To receive further information on
OMDC programs please contact
the Coordinator, Industry
Initiatives:
175 Bloor Street East, South
11. Is my project eligible for the Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (OIDMTC)?
The eligibility of a product for an OIDMTC is determined on a case by case basis and
depends on the circumstances, especially the structure used to develop the product and
the type of product developed. Below are some issues to keep in mind when considering
whether to claim an OIDMTC for a product. The list below does not include all of the
requirements; please consult the legislation and regulations before applying for an
OIDMTC.
! Eligible companies must be a Canadian corporation with a permanent establishment
in Ontario.
! The product must be interactive, that is intended to be used by individuals who can
interact with the product by choosing what information is to be presented and the
form and sequence in which it is presented.
! 90% of the product must be developed by the eligible company in Ontario.
! The product must be completed and commercially exploitable.
! Government assistance is deducted when calculating the eligible expenditures for the
credit; financial support from the OMDC would be treated as government assistance.
Tower, Suite 501
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
T: 416-314-6858
F: 416-314-6876
[email protected]
www.omdc.on.ca
Note: Eligible companies and all “associated corporations” that have annual gross
revenues of less than $20 million in the previous year and total assets of less than $10
million in the previous year are eligible for a 30% tax credit. For companies that exceed
this asset and revenue cap there is a 25% tax credit available. If the product is developed
under a fee-for-service arrangement only the 25% tax credit is applicable.
For further information or a complete Guidelines and Information Package, visit the
OMDC website or contact the Tax Credits Department.
More Information
For more information contact Kim Gibson, Consultant - Industry Initiatives
Phone: 416-642-6651
Email: [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________
Culture is our Business
Ontario Media Development Corporation
Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of
Culture that facilitates economic development opportunities for Ontario’s cultural media
industries including the book publishing, film and television, interactive digital media,
magazine publishing, and music industries.
To receive further information on
OMDC programs please contact
the Coordinator, Industry
Initiatives:
175 Bloor Street East, South
Tower, Suite 501
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
T: 416-314-6858
F: 416-314-6876
[email protected]
www.omdc.on.ca