The Board of Directors of the Bell Fund has announced its decisions for the February 1, 2016 round of applications. Over $5.4M in grants has been approved for 30 of the 52 (English and French) applications received, as follows:

The following English language projects received Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Production Program:

BROADCAST
DIGITAL MEDIA

The 3 Amigonauts
9 Story Media Group
Executive Producers: Vince Commisso, Steve Jarosz
Producers: Tanya Green, Natalie Dumoulin, Mike Drach, Alley CrawfordCorus – YTV, 26 x 22 mins

The 3 Amigonauts: Academy Alien Siege
9 Story Media Group
Executive Producers: Vince Commisso, Steve Jarosz, Ryan LussingDM Service Co.: Yellow Bear Studios

A children’s comedy show about three goofballs who cause cosmic chaos after they are given the opportunity to attend the school of their dreams: the solar system’s most prestigious space academy.
Three interconnected, fast-moving mini-games on web in which players must alternatively run, scrub, and fly to fend off an alien invasion.

The Bachelorette Canada
Good Human Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Claire Freeland
Producer: Donna LukeCorus – W Network, 11 x 90 mins

The Bachelorette Canada
Good Human Productions
Executive Producer: Claire Freeland
Producer: Lasting Love Media Inc.DM Service Co.: Innovate By Day

A reality series in which 20 bachelors will compete to win the affections of Canada’s most eligible bachelorette.
A ten-month engagement campaign that will give superfans the chance to participate in the show. Fans will be able to compete for the opportunity to co-host the aftershow, vote a bachelor onto the program, and campaign for their city to host a watch party with voted-out bachelors from the show. The website will also include photo galleries, polls, participant profiles, and exclusive videos.

Between, Season 2 
Don Carmody Television
Executive Producers: Don Carmody, David Cormican, Michael McGowan, Naveen Prasad
Producer: Rick BotaRogers – City, 6 x 60 mins

Between Us
Don Carmody Television
Executive Producers: Don Carmody, David Cormican, Michael McGowan
Producer: Deb DayDM Service Co.: Innovate By Day

A sci-fi drama set in Pretty Lake, a town where a disease has wiped out everybody over the age of 22. After the town is quarantined by the government, its young inhabitants must learn to fend for themselves.
A responsive website with additional content for fans of the show. Components include a digital aftershow, dramatic webisodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, an interactive map of the town, a character profiler quiz, and SuperFan contests.

Canada In A Day
Screen Siren Pictures
Executive Producers: Scott Free Films, Christine Haebler
Producers: Trish Dolman, Michael GhentBell Media – CTV, 1 x 90 mins

Canada In A Day – Digital
Screen Siren Pictures
Executive Producers: Trish Dolman, Screen Siren Pictures, Michael Ghent, Ghent Digital
Producers: Catherine Winckler, Switch UnitedDM Service Co.: Switch United, Innovate By Day

A documentary patchwork project built from user-generated video content created and uploaded by Canadians. The final work, to be released on Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, will feature the stories, reflections, and celebrations of Canadians across the country.
An online hub to help Canadians upload their own short footage. The website will showcase videos from notable Canadians who will act as ambassadors by making their own films and challenging Canadians nationwide to do the same.

Canada: The Story of Us
Bristow Global Media Inc.
Executive Producers: Julie Bristow, Claire Adams, Jane Root, Ben Goold, Phil Craig
Producers: Janice Tufford, Cameron Rothery, Tara ElwoodCBC, 10 x 60 mins

Canada: The Story of Us VR
Secret Location
Executive Producer: James Milward
Producer: CJ Hervey
A drama-documentary about Canada’s present and past. Dramatic action scenes with cutting edge CGI will be used alongside interviews with notable national figures to tell the story of a nation and its people.
An app with three immersive 360-degree virtual reality vignettes. Each vignette will allow the user to follow a story from Canada’s past and explore the setting of the scene.

Dino Dana
Sinking Ship Entertainment Inc.
Executive Producers: Blair Powers, J.J. Johnson, Christin Simms, Matt Bishop
Producers: J.J. Johnson, Blair PowersTVO, Groupe TVA – Yoopa, Knowledge, 13 x 22 mins

Dino Dana: Experiments and Adventures
Sinking Ship Entertainment Inc.
Producers: Blair Powers, J. J. Johnson
A live action children’s series about Dana, a spunky 8-year-old who can see dinosaurs. In each episode, Dana performs a Dino Experiment to make amazing discoveries about the creatures she sees around her.
A collection of games and experiments available on web that mirror the fun activities undertaken by Dana in the TV show. Players will guide Dana through an expanded dinosaur universe and help her gather clues and perform experiments to observe the dinosaurs she meets.

DOT
Industrial Brothers
Executive Producers: Matthew Fernandes, Arthur Spanos, Halle Stanford, Randi Zuckerberg, Tammy Semen
Producers: Julie Otten, Karen FowlerCBC, 52 x 11 mins

Dotipedia 
Industrial Brothers
Executive Producers: Arthur Spanos, Halle Stanford, Tammy Semen
Producers: Matt Fernandes, Karen FowlerDM Service Co.: Log Cabin Productions

An animated preschool series about Dot, a quirky, curious girl who uses technology in her everyday adventures to educate herself and connect with the world.
An app, geared towards 4- to 7-year-olds, in which users will find pictures, videos, games, and animations about the subjects on the show that they’re most passionate about. Kids gain comfort with technology by uploading images, recording their own audio, and playing interactive games.

Finding Stuff Out, Season 4
Apartment 11 Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Jonathan Finkelstein
Producer: Jean-Louis CoteTVO, 13 x 22 mins

Finding More Stuff Out Online
Apartment 11 Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Jonathan Finkelstein
Producers: Jonathan Finkelstein, Marie MorencyDM Service Co.: Smiley Guy Studios

Kids’ questions about the stuff that matters to them are answered through the help of scientists and engineers in the fourth season of Finding Stuff Out. The world around us is explored through hands-on experiments and chats with kid experts across the country.
A website with interactive games to help kids use the scientific method to find things out for themselves. In each game, users learn how to formulate questions and take the steps needed to answer those questions on their own.

Mohawk Girls, Season 4
Rezolution Pictures
Executive Producers: Ernest Webb, Tracey Deer, Cynthia Knight, Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Linda Ludwick
Producers: Catherine Bainbridge, Ernest Webb, Tracey Deer, Christina Fon, Linda LudwickAPTN, 8 x 22 mins

Mohawk Girls 4 Digital Media
Rezolution Pictures
Executive Producers: Ernest Webb, Tracey Deer, Cynthia Knight, Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Linda Ludwick
Producers: Catherine Bainbridge, Ernest Webb, Tracey Deer, Christina Fon, Linda Ludwick, Deb DayDM Service Co.: Innovate By Day

Mohawk Girls follows four twenty-somethings as they define what it is to be a modern-day Mohawk woman. Season 4 finds the women exploring traditional marriage, pow-wows, and the ever-present complications of dating and friendship.
Fans of the show will now have access to additional content about the series’ leading men. New online material will include a comedy web series featuring fan-favourite Butterhead, a behind-the-scenes digital companion series, and a robust engagement campaign.

The Next Step, Season 4
Boat Rocker Media
Executive Producers: David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Frank van Keeken, Laura Harbin
Producers: Laurie McLarty, Amy ColeDHX – Family Channel, 40 x 30 mins

The Next Step – Ultimate Virtual Fan Experience
Boat Rocker Media
Executive Producer: Laura Notarianni
Producer: Sinead Wills
The Next Step follows the elite dancers of The Next Step Studio. In season 4, the studio faces new challenges when former favourites depart the team and new dancers arrive to compete for the coveted top spots.
A new website for fans of the show. Content on the website includes videos of dance numbers, behind-the-scenes segments, a European Tour documentary, and five-minute 360-degree tour videos.

Opie’s Home!
Marble Media Inc.
Executive Producers: Mark Bishop, Matthew Hornburg
Producer: Mik PerlusTVO, 39 x 7 mins

Opie’s Home! Interactive
Marble Media Inc.
Executive Producers: Mark Bishop, Matthew Hornburg
Producer: Mark Bishop
A look into the home life of the four-year-old puppet boy Opie from the Hi Opie! series. Opie’s fun doesn’t end at school – the show follows Opie as he continues to learn and play with family, friends, and neighbours afterschool and on weekends.
Users can explore Opie’s family’s house, as if on a playdate, by playing mini-games and engaging in interactive discovery. The world of Opie’s Home! will be available to explore both through web and as a mobile app.

Where the Universe Sings: The Spiritual Journey of Lawren Harris 
White Pine Pictures Inc.
Executive Producers: Peter Raymont
Producers: Peter Raymont, Nancy LangTVO, CBC – Documentary Channel, CTS, 1 x 90 mins

Lawren Harris: A Living Gallery
Secret Location
Executive Producers : Sabrina Saccocio, James Milward
Producer: Ashlee Lougheed
A documentary on the artist Lawren Harris. Photographs, rare film footage, and correspondence from the painter himself will be used to explore his spiritual journey. At the heart of the documentary will be Harris’ iconic paintings and the spectacular Canadian sites that inspired them.
A responsive website and mobile app that will allow users to explore the works of Lawren Harris. The artist’s works are brought to life through audio-visual vignettes with animations, audio narration, and nature-driven soundscapes.

ZhuZhu Pets
Corus Digital Inc.
Executive Producers: Colin Bohm, Irene Weibel
Producers: Derek Reeves, Laurie HandforthCorus – YTV, 26 x 22 mins

ZhuZhu Pets
Relish interactive Inc.
Executive Producer: Paul Pattison
Producer: Paul Pattison
A children’s series about the ZhuZhus – cute, adventurous talking hamsters happily living alongside a human family in Anytown, USA.
With an app available on iOS and Android, users can feed, groom, train, style, and photograph their own ZhuZhu Pet. Alongside the app are two HTML games available on web. One is an intense endless runner game; the other features fast-paced play that tests the player’s time management skills.

The following French language projects received Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Production Program:

BROADCAST
DIGITAL MEDIA

Comment devenir une légende? II
Zone 3
Producer: Jacques PayetteVrak TV, 13 x 30 mins

Comment devenir une légende? II
Zone 3
Producer: Geneviève Provost
DM Service Co.: Les Affranchis

Les Pays d’en haut II
Encore Télévision inc.
Producers: Sophie Deschênes et François RozonSRC, AMI-tv, 10 x 60 mins

Les Pays d’en haut II
Les Productions LBH Inc.
Producer: Vincent Gagné
DM Service Co.: Productions Version 10

Salmigondis II
Téléfiction Productions inc.
Producers: Lucie Veillet, Martine QuintyTélé-Québec, Radio-Canada, 65 x 30 mins

Salmigondis II
Téléfiction Productions Inc.
Producers: Lucie Veillet (Téléfiction), Florence Roche (Tobo)
DM Service Co.: Tobo

Web Thérapie (1-26)
Attraction Images Inc.
Producer: Joceline GenestTV5, 22 x 30 mins

Web Thérapie 
Attractions Images Inc.
Producer: Micho Marquis-Rose
DM Service Co.: Les Affranchis

The following English language projects received Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Low Budget Production Program:

BROADCAST
DIGITAL MEDIA

Celtic Soul
Markham Street Films
Executive Producer: Judy Holm
Producers: Aaron Hancox, Judy Holm, Michael McNamaraSuper Channel, 1 x 75 mins

Celtic Soul 
Markham Street Films
Executive Producer: Judy Holm
Producers: Warren Wilansky, Aaron Hancox, Judy Holm, Michael McNamaraDM Service Co.: Plank Design

Actor Jay Baruchel travels from Montreal to Ireland to Glasgow with soccer journalist Eoin O’Callaghan to watch his favourite team, the Celtic FC, in the flesh. Along the way, they learn more about their Celtic roots, Canada’s immigration history, and the extensive cultural influence of the beautiful game.
A website with a road map of all the key sites in Jay and Eoin’s road trip. Content from the map will include unseen footage of the two travellers on their journey, as well as audio and video clips of the routes of the millions of Irish immigrants who have come to Canada over the past 200 years. An interactive timeline on the site will link together immigration, sports, and the Celtic community through infographics and user-generated content.

Snapshots
FORTE Entertainment Inc.
Executive Producers: Andrea Gabourie, Mitchell Gabourie
Producer: Natalie SchenkCBC, 6 x 30 mins

Snapshots Website 
FORTE Entertainment Inc.
Executive Producers: Andrea Gabourie, Mitchell Gabourie
Producer: Natalie SchenkDM Service Co.: Relish Interactive

An action-packed series in which children are challenged to use photography to tell stories, discover their own voice, and share their vision of the world around them.
A website where kids can enter a weekly themed photography competition by submitting their own shots and completing photography challenges. The website will also house webisodes featuring insider tips on photography, interviews with celebrity photographers, and behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the TV series.

Taken
Eagle Vision Inc. c/o Taken Season 1 Incorporated
Executive Producers: Lisa Meeches, Kyle Irving
Producers: Lisa Meeches, Kyle Irving, Richard DuffyCBC, APTN, 13 x 30 mins

Taken 
Eagle Vision Inc. c/o Taken Season 1 Incorporated
Executive Producers: Kyle Irving, Lisa Meeches
Producers: Kyle Irving, Lisa Meeches, Richard DuffyDM Service Co.: Tactica Interactive

A true crime documentary series looking at Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. Each episode will tell the story of one missing or murdered woman through interviews with friends and family, re-enactments, and discussions with law enforcement and community leaders.
In addition to being the source of full episodes and additional content from the show, the Taken interactive website will function as a central hub for those concerned about Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. Components of the site include a list of “Taken But Not Forgotten” missing and murdered women, interactive infographics, a blog, and a list of police resources and services.

Worldwide Horror
Don Ferguson Productions
Executive Producer: Don Ferguson
Producers: Lucy Stewart, Kevin Wallis, Rob LindsaySuper Channel, 1 x 90 mins

Worldwide Horror 
Don Ferguson Productions
Executive Producer: Don Ferguson
Producers: Lucy Stewart, Kevin Wallis
In this one-off documentary, Tal Zimerman, a horror journalist, sets out to discover how cultures play an integral role in creating horror around the world.
A website, laid out as Tal’s travel journal, with 3D video, photo albums, and extra content that can be unlocked by looking for clues shown during the broadcast of the film. Each country visited in the documentary will have its own page and will feature clickable maps for viewers to experience what Tal saw as he went around the world.

The following French language projects received Production Grants under the Bell Fund’s Low Budget Production Program:

BROADCAST
DIGITAL MEDIA

À fond de train
Blimp Télé Inc.
Producer: Isabelle VaillancourtTV5 UNIS – 10 x 60 mins

À fond de train
Blimp Télé Inc.
Producer: Isabelle Vaillancourt
DM Service Co.: Les Affranchis

OUACHE!
SPORT
Productrice: Johannie DeschambaultTV5 – Unis, 26 x 13 mins

OUACHE!
SPORT
Producer: Patrick Bilodeau, François Morion
DM Service Co.: Mbiance

The following projects received Development funding:


Anthropogenic Space
Mercury Films
Nicholas de Pencier
Bell Media – TMN

Friends and Other Magic
Buffalo Gal Pictures Inc.
Joanne Levy
Super Channel

Penny P Pug
Hop to It Productions Inc.
Susan Nation
Stornoway Communications – Pet Network

The Deep II
DHX Media Vancouver / Nerd Corps
Asaph Fipke, Ken Faier
DHX – Disney XD

Montréal en temps et lieux
Zone 3
Geneviève Provost
Télé-Québec


The following projects received Performance Accelerator funding:


Camp Lakebottom : Protect the Flag (Day of the Dread)
9 Story Media Group
Vince Commisso, Steve Jarosz
Corus – Teletoon

OuiSurf
Productions OuiSurf Inc,
Benjamin Rochette
Évasion


The following organizations received Professional Development funding:


Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival: Industry Conference and Forum
Hot Docs

Banff World Media Festival 2016
Banff Television Festival Foundation

Reelworld VR Hub 
Reelworld Film Festival

Académie canadienne du cinéma et de la télévision 
31e Gala des Prix Gémeaux 2016

Alliance Médias Jeunesse 
Gala des Prix d’excellence francophone 2016

Pixel Québec 
Pixel Média 2016

Relève créatrice sur écrans (RECRÉÉ) 
Bientôt sur nos écrans 2016

 


The Bell Fund provides grants to Canadian independent producers who develop and produce engaging, interactive cross-platform digital content for Canadian broadcasters to complement and enhance associated television programs. Since 1997, the Bell Fund has invested over $167M in over 1,700 Canadian digital media projects, television programs, development grants, co-productions and support for research and professional development. The Bell Fund also undertakes training, research, business development and promotion for the digital media industry.

The Bell Fund receives annual contributions of approximately $16 M from Bell TV as part of its broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the industry. In addition, the Development Program is supported by the interest generated by a $10M endowment, and contributions from Aliant. 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.

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For further information:

416-977-8154
info@bellfund.ca
www.bellfund.ca

514-845-4418
info@fondsbell.ca
www.fondsbell.ca