New funds to support content creation and development in music, film, television and interactive digital media have been announced by the Ontario government.
Through the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and its Partnerships Fund, an additional $2.9 million in funding support will be invested to leverage an existing $7.1 million in partner contributions.
One of this year's recipients, the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), received money to support a suite of web-based social networking and marketing tools it says will strengthen links between its members - improving member outreach and recruitment and providing a centralized marketing platform for employment opportunities in this sector.
York University and its partners will use their funding to research and develop stereoscopic 3D cinema production in the province. The 3D Film Innovation Consortium (3D FLIC) brings together researchers, technologists and content creators from York and the Canadian Film Centre, among other organizations.
Another fund recipient is "Spotlight on India", an initiative that will run during Canadian Music Week to promote Indo-Canadian artists to their natural markets overseas. Exploiting Ontario's cultural mosaic, there are opportunities to foster direct contact between the province and international buyers, and strengthen business relationships with India.
Book and magazine publishing, as well as commercial theatrical projects, are also eligible.
"The Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund has encouraged innovation, new business partnerships and growth across Ontario's burgeoning cultural media industries and academic institutions over the past four years," said Karen Thorne-Stone, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Media Development Corporation, in a release announcing the funding. "In doing so, it has helped our knowledge-based industries to compete more successfully in a highly-competitive global environment."
The Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund (the Partnerships Fund) was designed to help Ontario's entertainment and creative industries grow and increase their competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
For more information, visit www.omdc.on.ca