Quebecor Fund announces list of funded production companies and programs - Nearly $72 million for 229 projects over 17 years

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebecor Fund Board of Directors today announced the names of the Canadian production companies that will receive 33^rd-round funding under the Fund's Main Television Production Assistance Program (MPAP) following October 3, 2016 submissions. In this round, Quebecor Fund will disburse a total of $1,959,051 to the following production companies: PVP Animation III inc., La Voix Télévision Inc. (Productions Déferlantes inc.), Production Cheval-Serpent inc. (Aetios Productions inc.), Cineflix Media Inc., TVA Productions II inc., Kondololé Films inc. and Télévision Illimitée inc. (Productions Déferlantes inc.). The seven selected productions will air on the Canadian broadcasters ICI Radio-Canada, BBC Kids (BBC Canada), Knowledge Network, TVA, CASA (TVA Group), Télé-Québec, TVO and TFO.

Since its inception in 1999, Quebecor Fund's MPAP program has supported 229 projects involving 70 production companies, 41 Canadian broadcasters and 32 foreign broadcasters. During this period, the Fund has distributed more than $64 million to support the multiplatform components of the funded projects (which amounts to 72% of the total sums invested in multimedia by the participating production companies) and more than $7 million to support the television components of the same projects, for a total of nearly $72 million.

Of the funding granted to date by Quebecor Fund to support television and multiplatform production, 26% has gone to programs for children/youth, 24% to documentaries, 40% to variety/performing arts, and 10% to drama.

Quebecor Fund, a major source of financing for Canadian television, event and film production and for digital media content, is an independent fund with a mission to support the development, production and marketing of high-quality content and its exploitation on various interactive platforms that use new information and communication technologies, such as video on demand (VoD), mobile devices and high-speed Internet. Its new Export Assistance Program (EXAP) supports export initiatives by funding the development of audiovisual content adapted for non-Québec and international markets as well as marketing efforts.

Quebecor Fund was established through Videotron, which provides more than $7 million annually in broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the Canadian industry.

RECIPIENTS:

Belle et Sébastien

• PVP Animation III inc.                                        

- Canadian broadcasters: ICI Radio-Canada, Knowledge Network, BBC Kids (BBC Canada)
- International broadcasters: CNC, M6, Canal +, Piwi +, ZDF (France) / RTS (Switzerland) / VRT (Belgium)

Belle, a big, good-natured dog, and Sébastien, a plucky boy, are always ready for adventure. Together, they explore the mountain, solve problems for the villagers, outwit their adversaries and take all kinds of risks to help friend and foe alike. The digital component includes an online adventure/puzzle game that lets kids embark on interactive adventures in which Belle and Sébastien work hand-in-paw, as well as a mobile app where children can play an exciting action game in which Belle and Sébastien hurtle down the snowy mountainside.

La Voix (season 5)

• La Voix Télévision Inc. (Productions Déferlantes inc.) - Canadian broadcaster: TVA

La Voix will be back on our screens in February 2017. As in years past, the four coaches will be seated in the iconic red armchairs with their backs to the contestants, who must try to win them over with their voices alone. In the final episode, the audience will be called upon to cast the deciding vote. The interactive site will offer an immersive experience featuring a wide selection of exclusive content. The website's fully revamped homepage will use cinemagraphs to grab users from the moment they arrive on the page.

Cheval-Serpent

• Production Cheval-Serpent inc. (Aetios Productions inc.) - Canadian broadcaster: ICI Radio-Canada

The new series written by Danielle Trottier is set in the Cheval-Serpent, a strip bar run by Dorice McQuaid and David Gauthier where male dancers entertain women. The well-known establishment is part of what makes Montréal a party town. But mayor Laurent Saint-Pierre doesn't want strip joints in his city. The virtual reality experience Au cœur du Cheval-Serpent plunges users into the fascinating world of strip clubs through personal encounters with its denizens. Users can enter the 360-degree experience with a VR headset, a mobile device or on the Web.

Buying and Selling (season 5)

• Cineflix Media Inc.   

-      Canadian broadcaster: CASA (TVA Group)
-      International broadcaster: HGTV (USA)

Trading up to a new house is a major life event. Jonathan and Drew Scott team up to help homeowners renovate their property so they can get the best price for it and buy their dream home. In the Buying and Selling game for tablets and smartphones, players buy, renovate and decorate houses in an imaginary city in order to sell for maximum profit.

Salut Bonjour (season 28)

• TVA Productions II inc.  - Canadian broadcaster: TVA

Twenty-eight years after it first went on the air, Salut Bonjour is an institution on Quebec morning television, the place Quebecers go for the information they need to start their day. Over the years, Salut Bonjour has built a close relationship with its audience by remaining true to its mission of informing and entertaining at the same time. The magazine-style website, organized by theme, contains videos, articles and exclusive content that often goes viral on social media.

Ping et Pong

• Kondololé Films inc.   - Canadian broadcasters: Télé-Québec, TVO, TFO and Knowledge Network

The Ping et Pong series for preschoolers stimulates music and language learning. Ping and Pong are inseparable friends who love to play around with sounds, words and music. Every new adventure makes them sing! Ping et Pong offers children three musical activities designed for 3-6 year-olds: La musique est partout, Le grand ménage des sons and Jam avec Ping et Pong. Children discover music, sound and language through activities that are both educational and fun.

Accès Illimité (season VII)

• Télévision Illimitée inc. (Productions Déferlantes inc.)  - Canadian broadcaster: TVA

As the title suggests, Accès illimité gives viewers behind-the-scenes access to the private lives of Québec celebrities who are in the news. The variety/documentary show is hosted by Anouk Meunier and Jean-Philippe Dion. Its digital component extends the open relationship established with the guest on the show to an exclusive, personal user experience.

Quebecor Fund

Quebecor Fund, a non-profit organization, is a private fund incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. The Board of Directors is responsible for all decisions pertaining to the Fund, including its priorities, and is entirely and exclusively responsible for its funding decisions. The date of the next round of funding under the Main Television Production Assistance Program (MPAP) is Monday, April 3, 2017. For more information, please visit the Quebecor Fund website at www.quebecorfund.ca.

SOURCE QUEBECOR FUND

Serge Thibaudeau, CEO, Quebecor Fund, 514-842-2497 / [email protected]