BC Film + Media announced its new Digital Readiness Program yesterday at New Media BC’s “Money Chain Gang” financial strategies workshop.

The new program targets a focused segment of the digital business continuum: strategic planning. It will provide entertainment companies with support to invest in the creative, business and market development planning necessary to take advantage of new markets and platforms and meet audience expectations in an increasingly digital environment.

The program will provide up to $10,000 to film, television or digital media companies for the execution of a “Digital Readiness Plan”. Supported activities include corporate or creative needs assessment, exploration of digital opportunities and partners, and the preparation of a comprehensive strategy for digital readiness and deployment.

“BC Film recognizes the influence of digital media on the future growth and sustainability of the feature film and broadcast television industries,” says Richard Brownsey, Executive Director of BC Film. “This program will help companies in the early stages of planning for the challenges and opportunities in developing content and exploiting new digital platforms.”

“BC Film’s Digital Readiness Program will provide critical support to an industry emerging as a world leader in this sector,” says Lynda Brown of New Media BC. “By providing resources to companies in the earliest stages of their digital endeavors, BC Film is filling a significant gap in the funding spectrum.”

BC Film + Media will accept proposals that outline a viable “Digital Readiness Plan”. Applicants must work in consultation with industry experts who will provide advice, direction and assistance in this strategic planning process. The deadline for applications is August 17, 2007. Full guidelines and application forms can be found on the BC Film website at: http://www.bcfilm.bc.ca/digital_readiness.php.

“For producers competing in an increasingly confusing digital environment, the timing is perfect for BC Film’s Digital Readiness Program,” says Tracey Wood of the BC Producers’ Branch of the Canadian Film & Television Production Association. “To create a company specific digital strategic plan is an amazing tool in a producer’s arsenal.”

BC Film + Media is an independent, not-for-profit society established by the provincial government in 1987 with a mandate to expand and diversify the film, television and digital media sector in British Columbia. The society gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.


For more information contact:

Kristen Lukovich
Communications Coordinator, BC Film + Media
klukovich@bcfm.ca or 604.736.7997, Ext.109