Most of Telefilm's clients are independent producers. It is the independents who come to Telefilm with projects for analysis and, hopefully, financing.

Telefilm Canada also provides assistance to Canadian distribution and export companies, as well as a number of Canadian festivals.

The Corporation further supports complementary commercial activities in production and distribution, as well as the promotion and marketing of Canadian productions, their dubbing and subtitling, and the participation of Canadians in international film events through a variety of funds and programs.

Telefilm Canada also administers co-production agreements on behalf of the Canadian government.

Telefilm Canada is one of the government's principal instruments for achieving its cultural objectives, including telling Canadian stories to Canada and the world.

Our government realizes that the Canadian audiovisual industry generates a significant share of the country's overall economic activity.

In addition, the phenomenal growth of the Information Highway, the convergence of new technologies and the limitations of the domestic market have prompted the government to encourage the production of high-quality Canadian content.

An independent producer is one that owns a private production company and is not a broadcaster.

For example, CTV produces its own television programs, but is not eligible for Telefilm Canada's funds because it is also a broadcaster.

As a general rule, a production company submitting an application must have an established track record, as must the technical and creative team.

Telefilm Canada nevertheless regularly invests in directors' first feature films. These individuals must have valid related experience and be backed by an experienced production company.

Telefilm and the NFB are both cultural agencies funded by Canadian Heritage. Unlike the NFB, however, Telefilm is neither a producer nor a distributor, and does not have any production facilities.

In June 2005, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that Telefilm Canada and the Canadian Television Fund would harmonize their activities. Following this announcement, the two organizations signed an agreement whereby Telefilm Canada would assume responsibility for the administration of CTF funding programs. Telefilm Canada has been receiving funding requests on behalf of the CTF since March 1, 2006, through its regional offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and Halifax.

Telefilm Canada and the Canadian Television Fund’s Equity Investment Program provide incentives for small- and medium-sized production companies (SMEs). An SME is defined as:

-having a gross annual consolidated (including related companies) revenues of less than $25 million averaged over the past three years; and

-not related to any company that exceeds the above threshold. This definition, among other things, excludes large companies that are publicly traded, but does not exclude small publicly traded companies.

Generally, two companies are related when the reported financial information of one is to be consolidated (full consolidation or equity method), with the audited reported financial information of the other. Telefilm Canada will use the Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants as a guide in determining when two companies are related.

As well, the following Telefilm Canada initiatives and programs are available exclusively for SMEs:

-Development funds for feature film and development;

-Production Revenue Sharing Program;

-International Marketing Assistance Fund; and

-Reduced cost to SMEs at Telefilm umbrella stands at key European markets.

Telefilm Canada finances many innovative and high-quality feature films, television programs and multimedia works each year. As an investor, we are not actually one of the “producers” of the projects. Therefore, we are unable to either sell or loan any copies to the general public. If you would like to obtain a copy of a particular production, please contact the appropriate distributor or production house (if you live in Canada) or the foreign sales agent (if you live elsewhere) specified in our on-line catalogues.You can access the online catalogue by typing one word of your title into the search field on the home page.

For productions with a budget in excess of $500,000, the CTF and TFC require an audited final cost report accompanied by an independent auditor’s report. For productions with a budget in excess of $200,000 but equal to or less than $500,000, the CTF and TFC require a final cost report accompanied by an independent public accountant’s review engagement report. For productions with a budget of less than $200,000, the production or distribution company may submit an uncertified final cost report, supported by an Affidavit (for further information see the Accounting and Reporting Requirements). However, the CTF and TFC reserve the right that an audit or review engagement be performed, regardless of the budget level.

·In cases involving an audit or review mandate, the independent auditor selected must be a member in good standing of a professional organization authorized for these types of engagements and be a member in good standing of their provincial institute.

·In addition to carrying out their work in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, independent auditors must be familiar with the industry and its practices and with the Accounting and Reporting Requirements of the CTF and TFC.

·It is the duty of the producer to furnish the independent auditor with a copy of all documents, including the Accounting and Reporting Requirements of the CTF and TFC, relating to the production to be certified.