Development incentive

Support the development of projects that have already secured intent or commitment from a broadcaster, funding agency and/or third-party financing.

The objectives of the program are to:

• support the creation of high-quality film, television, and new media projects that enhance New Brunswick’s cultural and artistic reputation
• strengthen the industry’s stability and growth
• maximize opportunities to attract additional funding and resources
• help create and sustain jobs, attract external investment, and contribute to the province’s gross domestic product and tax revenue

This program does not have deadlines.

• up to 50% of the approved development budget for dramatic feature films, made-for-TV movies, dramatic TV series and mini-series to a maximum of $120,000 per project
• up to 40% of the approved development budget for all other genres of projects to a maximum of $50,000

Note: to maximize opportunities for a greater number of producers in New Brunswick, the department retains the authority to decide how many development projects an applicant can submit and/or receive funding for within each timeframe, unless otherwise specified.

The department will allocate its development funding as follows:

Disbursement:

Approved funding support will be issued at 80% upfront and 20% upon project completion. Funding can be disbursed over up to three phases of development.

To receive the second and final payment of this repayable financial contribution, you must submit an uncertified final cost report along with an Affidavit (PDF 63 KB).

Allowable Expenses:

• development related travel expenses
• expenses associated with securing production licensing, financing and distribution
• option or acquisition of rights (option agreements must cover a minimum of two years)
• pre-casting and location scouting expenses
• preparation of production budgets and production schedules
• research and scriptwriting fees, story-consulting fees and editor’s fees

The program allows up to 20% of the development cost to cover producer’s fees and corporate overhead.

Only incorporated New Brunswick companies having a permanent establishment in the province, with a minimum of 50% of voting shareholders being New Brunswick residents, can apply for financial assistance. These companies must demonstrate that their primary purpose is producing film or television products domestically or collaboratively. These can be privately owned or publicly traded corporations.

For co-productions, New Brunswick allows access to development incentives, but the applicant must be a New Brunswick corporation. For more information, email [email protected].

Eligible projects

• children’s programming
• documentaries
• feature films
• reality and lifestyle series
• television content (MOWs, sitcoms, dramatic series, docu-series)

Ineligible projects

• films and videos of a promotional or instructional nature for commercial, industrial or institutional purposes
• gala and/or award presentation shows, citations
• productions containing explicit sex, excessive violence, sexual violence or sexual exploitation or any matter which is libelous, obscene or in any other way unlawful or which does not respect provincial and/or federal civil or criminal laws
• sporting events, news, weather and current affairs reporting
• technical instruction videos, music promotional videos and how-to-do videos

Application requirements:

• a completed, signed (by an authorized person) and dated application form
• a co-production agreement (when applicable)
• a description of the proposed project
• a list of the key personnel involved in the project
• any additional information as requested by the branch
• corporate information (articles of incorporation, corporate structure, etc.)
• the financial structure proposed for the development of the project and details of the financing that is already in place

Applications submitted to this program are evaluated according to the program objectives and criteria, including general and contextual information about the organization, the nature and quality of the work outlined in the application and potential impacts.

Please refer to the guidelines/program call on the Arts Culture NB Portal, which contains essential information about the deadlines and criteria for this program.

In the case of disagreement concerning the interpretation of policies and programs, the department reserves the right to final interpretation of the intent and implementation of a program. The department reserves the right to revise programs at any time without notice. The department is subject to the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.