Bell Fund announces decisions for the November 13, 2017 round of
applications - Short-Form Digital Series (Non-fiction)
Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario, January 15,
2018: The Board of Directors of the Bell Fund has announced its decisions for
the November 13, 2017 round of applications. Over $2.4m in
grants has been approved for 14 of the 36 (English and French)
applications received.
- The following English language projects
received Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Short-Form Digital Series
(Non-fiction Scripted) pilot program:
SHORT-FORM DIGITAL SERIES (NON-FICTION
SCRIPTED) |
Animalogic III Blue Ant Media Productions Inc. 36 x 6
minutes |
Whether you love animals or are just curious
about them, Animalogic breaks down what makes different animals unique and
amazing. With new episodes released every other week, Animalogic goes in
depth into each animal. What do they look like, where do they live, how do
they hunt, what’s special about them, how do they make it in this harsh
world? Throughout each episode, the host and illustrator
bring the animals to life with little known facts about the featured animal,
as she illustrates it in the background. Did you know Bonobos can play
Pac man? Or that rabbits were used as pregnancy tests? Or that there is a
jellyfish, that when sick or injured, can revert to its younger self,
essentially making it immortal? The series is
hosted by Danielle Dufault, an award-winning scientific illustrator at the
Royal Ontario Museum. |
BUY or DIY Disrupting Design Productions Inc. a subsidiary
of RTR Media 15 x 8
minutes |
This series
takes on the burning question people face when improving their homes, should
I buy or DIY? Contributors and producers, Danielle Berger and Maxine
Ward face-off in this exciting new gameplay series. Homeowners play along
each week as Dani presents a DIY option and Maxine goes on the hunt for a
thrifty purchased option for either a Coral viewer or a Social Media
Influencer. The budget is $75.00. What would you do, Buy or DIY your object
of desire to help you create your best home? |
Canadiana Unlikely Pear Productions Inc. 8 x 10
minutes |
Canadiana is
a documentary series that follows host Adam Bunch as he geeks his way across
the country in search of the most incredible tales in Canada's history. From
Halifax Harbour to Vancouver Island, and from major cities to secluded towns,
Adam shares mind-blowing historical anecdotes that have contributed to the
country's unique identity. |
Does it Fart? Yellow Bear Studios Inc. 10 x 2
minutes |
Does it Fart?
is a proven-by-science factual series starring Emma Lu, Nathanial Ike-Okereke
and internationally renowned animal expert, Dave Salmoni. The series sets out
to discover which animals fart, while studying the biology behind their
breaking of wind. Designed for a core 6-11 demo of digital natives, Does it
Fart? utilizes the flexibility of web-series to engage an audience who loves
animals, science and comedy, by taking fans into the first ever science lab
dedicated to testing the air biscuits of animals. With special areas like the
‘Boom Room’ (to test the volume of flatulence) ‘The Smell Hotel’ (where odour
is examined), ‘Restroomaurant’ (where our species feast on their favourite
foods) and the ‘Thermal Jungle’ (where scientists actually see farts via
thermal imaging), each episode helps answer the burning question on
everyone’s mind, Does it Fart? |
Paddle Tales The Heliconia Press Inc 10 x 10
minutes |
Paddle Tales
is a series designed to resonate with anyone with an interest in the
outdoors—not just paddlers. Paddle Tales follows World Champion kayaker, Ken
Whiting, around North America as he explores the continent by canoe, kayak,
stand up paddleboard, and raft while telling the stories of the unique people
and places that he encounters. It’s an inspiring, revealing, and
adventure-filled journey that will entertain and motivate viewers, while
shedding light on some of the current challenges facing the people and places
we encounter. |
Red Button Media Headquarters Film & Television Inc. 6 x 7 minutes |
Red Button is
a revolutionary approach to storytelling, where documentary subjects become
the filmmakers. Young Canadians from marginalized and at-risk communities are
given smartphones, lightweight audio and camera gear, and go through a
workshop on the basics of filmmaking. Then, with one-on-one guidance from
professional filmmakers, they record all aspects of their lives: school,
home, work, social activities. No directors, no crew – just the subjects’
unflinchingly honest depiction of their own lives and the world around them.
Top editors and producers transform these raw stories into structured,
gripping narratives. Red Button is inspired by today’s culture of
self-documentation, but elevates it into an art form. The result is a
powerful combination of raw, unfiltered reality and sophisticated
storytelling in a gripping series. |
Shredders Banger Films Inc. 6 x 10
minutes |
Shredders gameplay
begins with seven contestants that have demonstrated a high level of skill
and finesse through an online submission video. In each episode, the
contestants must prove their prowess in a series of guitar-playing challenges
before the panel of esteemed judges. The player with the lowest score is
eliminated and the remaining contestants move to the next episode. In
the finale, the top two players duel for the Master Shredder title and
prizes. In every shred challenge, each player gets a chance to blow the
judges away. The host will increase the difficulty over time by forcing the
players to use specific effects or techniques or introduce handicaps to add
mystery and surprise. |
True Dating Stories 2 LaRue Digital Inc. 8 x 10
minutes |
Whether it’s
true romance or a night gone horribly wrong, we all love the juicy details of
a great dating story. In True Dating Stories (TDS), we hear from the REAL
PEOPLE that were involved in the GREATEST DATING STORIES EVER. Then the
stories are brought to life, re-enacted by comedians with all the intrigue,
romance and fun they deserve. These sexy, jaw-dropping comedy re-enactments
will make you laugh, cry, and quite possibly swear off dating altogether. |
2.
The following French language projects received
Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Short Form Digital Series (Non-fiction
Scripted) pilot program:
For further details on the
projects below, please see our French language website: fondsbell.ca
SHORT-FORM
DIGITAL SERIES (NON-FICTION SCRIPTED) |
La Lesbienne, l’Arabe
et l’Asperger Blimp Télé 30 x
5 min |
Les Brutes, saison 3 Picbois Productions 16 x
5 min |
Art en LIVE avec Hervé Tullet Tobo 28 x 3 min |
Le monde est petit, saison 3 Toast Studios 22 x
3 min |
Surf inc. Productions OuiSurf 6 X
15 min |
Bébé, on part! Productions GFP 10 x
4 min |
The Bell Fund
provides grants to Canadian media content makers who create and produce
engaging content for audiences in Canada and around the world. Bell Fund
investments support content development and production for broadcast and
digital platforms that are accessible to all Canadians. For 20 years, since
1997, the Bell Fund has invested over $200 million in 2,000 Canadian digital
media projects and television programs. The Bell Fund also supports training,
research, professional development and promotion for the Canadian media
production industry.
The Bell Fund
receives annual contributions of approximately $16 million from Bell TV as part
of its broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the industry.
The Fund was also awarded a $10 million endowment from Bell TV which supports
the Fund’s development programming. The Bell Fund is incorporated as a
not-for-profit organization, governed by an independent Board of Directors
representing various sectors of the television and digital media industry.
- 30
-
For further information:
Fonds Bell
514-845-4418
Bell Fund
416-977-8154