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  • Bold New Transmedia Initiatives Knock Down International Borders

9th April 2015

Bold New Transmedia Initiatives Knock Down International Borders

Canada Media FundThe Canada Media Fund (CMF) and NZ On Air (New Zealand) have announced a contribution of $1.2M (CAD) to three digital media coproductions.  Of the total, the CMF will contribute 618,000 (CAD) and NZ On Air will contribute 582,000 (CAD) towards the projects. Three Canadian production companies will collaborate with New Zealand counterparts on three bold new transmedia projects supported through a fund established late last year by the Canada Media Fund and NZ On Air.  

The Canada-New Zealand Digital Media Fund was established to encourage the coproduction of innovative digital media projects for online audiences that would appeal culturally to both Canadian and NZ audiences.I spy

The three projects chosen to be funded in 2014-2015 include a challenging online interactive documentary, a comedy project, and an app for young children. They will each receive a total of $400,000 CND to which both agencies have contributed.

I Spy: With My Five Eyes  is an interactive documentary which will allow users to explore aspects of cyber security, national surveillance and privacy from a number of perspectives. The producers aim to extend viewers’ knowledge on the topics with balanced, thought-provoking information.

nationsOn a  lighter note, The Nations is an inter-country comedy challenge between New Zealand and Canada. Through a website, participants will be invited to take part in a series of online challenges and games, pitting the two countries against each other. At the same time, a  host comedian in each country will tour through their respective homelands undertaking challenges along the way, which can be voted on by audiences.

The third project is We Are The Remarkables. An app for both iOS and Android aimed at 6-8 year old children, it includes puzzles, games and video episodes which are also available through a website and a YouTube channel. The different elements encourage children to unlock mysteries as they follow the path which weaves Canadian and New Zealand cultures into the story.the remarkables

“NZ On Air is looking for ways to push the boundaries of content-making. These projects are frontier-busting on many levels but we believe will produce online content that will engage and stimulate three quite different audiences,” says NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.

“NZ On Air’s own research shows audiences are increasingly looking to a variety of screens for their entertainment and information. Our job is to ensure there is relevant, local content available wherever the audiences are,” she continued.

“The matching fund between the Canada Media Fund and NZ On Air is a catalyst for content creators in both countries to share and create groundbreaking innovative digital media productions,” says Valerie Creighton, President and CEO for the Canada Media Fund. “We are delighted to support these three innovative productions through our partnership with NZ On Air.”

Funding details

Project Production companies CMF Funding NZ On Air Funding
I Spy: With My Five Eyes Canada: Jam3

New Zealand: Fumes TV

$200,000 CND $200,000 CND
The Nations Canada: iThentic Canada

New Zealand: Thedownlowconcept

$238,000 CND $162,000 CND
We Are The Remarkables Canada: Story2.OH

New Zealand: Brown Sugar Apple Grunt

$180,000 CND $220,000 CND

For more information – including complete synopses, producer credits, and funding commitments, please visit the CMF’s Funded Projects page.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 9th, 2015 at 12:52 pm and is filed under Careers, Government, National News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
  1. Tami Quiring (@VillageGamer)
    5:54 am on April 9th, 2015

    .@CMF_FMC & @NZonAir Announce Bold New Transmedia Initiatives That Knock Down International Borders http://t.co/eEkznGsT92

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