Supporting global expansion of Canadian creative businesses at the Atlantic International Film Festival
News release
HALIFAX, September 13, 2024
The Government of Canada is dedicated to supporting Canadian creative businesses and organizations in boosting their global presence and expanding their international exports. The Creative Export Canada program not only strengthens Canada’s economy but also promotes our creative professionals.
Today, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament (Halifax West), announced a $90,000 investment to support the expansion into new markets of Capital Motion Picture Group’s JustWatchMe.tv, an international digital streaming platform for Canadian-produced feature films, documentaries, short films and series. This project will help grow the recipient’s export activities beyond their existing markets to new territories worldwide.
Ms. Diab made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, at the Atlantic International Film Festival, hosted by the Atlantic Film Festival Association.
Last July, Canadian Heritage also announced Creative Export Canada support of $70,000 for the Atlantic Film Festival Association’s Partners Spotlights, an annual co-production/co-financing market that will expand the international reach of Canadian producers and distributors.
As part of the first funding cohort of the Creative Export Canada program’s new Export Development Stream, this investment in Capital Motion Picture Group and the Atlantic Film Festival Association will advance the visibility of Canadian creative industries, increasing their export profits in global markets and contributing to Canada’s economic growth.
The Export Development Stream supports projects by Canadian businesses and organizations that are entering international markets and expanding their global networks. This includes support for Indigenous creative businesses and organizations and those from equity-deserving communities. See the attached backgrounder for details on these projects and Creative Export Canada program funding.
Quotes
“Trying to break into new international markets can be a complex task. That’s why we’re supporting Capital Motion Picture Group and the Atlantic Film Festival Association – to help them reach for the global potential of their quality services and achieve financial success abroad. These organizations are great examples of how Canada’s creativity and rich culture can thrive on the world stage.”
—The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“By supporting homegrown talents Halifax’s Atlantic Film Festival Association and Ottawa’s Capital Motion Picture Group, we are showcasing two great creative businesses and helping them succeed internationally. These projects are important for the economic success of our local creative sector, and we are proud to showcase this at the Atlantic International Film Festival.”
—Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament (Halifax West)
“Through a funding contribution to JustWatchMe.tv, Creative Export Canada has not only provided support for market innovation in the streaming and pop-up cinema space, but has also provided support to countless content creators, filmmakers and artists in Canada to reach new audiences.”
—Michael Dobbin, Managing Director, Capital Motion Picture Group
“We are so grateful for the Export Development Stream funding; it has been essential to building our business and staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry. It has allowed the Atlantic International Film Festival’s Film Industry market to reach global stakeholders and develop our spotlights and programming featuring the regions of New Zealand and the Nordics."
—Chrissy King-Lopes, Industry Programs Manager, Atlantic Film Festival Association
Quick facts
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As part of the renewal of the Creative Export Strategy in April 2023, the Creative Export Canada program received $33 million over three years, from 2023 to 2026. The Export-Ready Stream invests $7 million per year in export-ready projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world. The new Export Development Stream invests $4 million per year in new and early-stage exporters entering international markets and experienced exporters expanding their global networks.
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Since its launch in 2018, Creative Export Canada has invested $51.7 million in 117 export-ready projects under the Export-Ready Stream and $5.95 million in 80 projects under the Export Development Stream.
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Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Charles Thibault-Béland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
charles.thibault-beland@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
1-819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca