The OMDC IDM Fund is designed to provide Ontario interactive digital media content companies with access to the final piece of funding required to move their content projects into production. Successful applicants will receive a non-refundable contribution of up to $150,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget to create a market-ready interactive digital media content product.  It is anticipated that the OMDC IDM Fund will support projects from a range of genres, delivery platforms and budgets. Consideration will be given to the cultural and industrial benefits of each project. In assessing the economic impact of a project, OMDC will take into account immediate results including Ontario job creation and retention and level of Ontario expenditures. Long term results such as the potential for commercial exploitation will also be a factor.

NEW THIS YEAR – ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL (OAP) – For the 2010/11 cycle of this program, applications must be submitted via the OMDC Online Application Portal (OAP). This is a new application process and all applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their applications early to allow for enough time should technical difficulties arise and/or assistance is required. Prior to commencing an application, your Company’s corporate information must be registered. If this has not already been done, you should register as soon as possible by going to: https://apply.omdc.on.ca/. If you encounter problems setting up your Company’s corporate information you can email applyhelp@omdc.on.ca for assistance.  This email address can also be used for any technical questions you have about the OAP. There will also be an OAP information session, following the program information session (see below for details) that interested applicants are encouraged to attend.

Updated documentation and the link to the OAP are posted on the OMDC website (www.omdc.on.ca – under Programs / Content and Marketing Funds / OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund). To link directly to this information click here: Guidelines and Link to OAP.

OMDC will be holding two information sessions. If you would like to attend an information session for this program please sign up via our online registration form.

Information Sessions:
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an upcoming information session to have their questions answered.

Information Session #1
Date: July 14, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Program Information Session / 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – OAP Information Session
Location: Conference Centre, 175 Bloor St. East, North Tower, Third Floor, Toronto

Information Session #2

Date: August 18, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Program Information Session / 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – OAP Information Session
Location: Conference Centre, 175 Bloor St. East, North Tower, Third Floor, Toronto

Registrations will close at 5:00 pm on the day prior to each Information Session.  Unregistered guests will only be accepted if space permits.

For further information on this or any of the other Industry Initiatives programs, please contact the Industry Initiative Coordinator at:

Ontario Media Development Corporation

175 Bloor Street East, South Tower, Suite 501

Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8

Direct phone: 416-642-6695

Main phone: 416-314-6858

Fax: 416-314-6876

Email: programs@omdc.on.ca

Culture is our Business

Ontario Media Development Corporation

Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture that facilitates economic development opportunities for Ontario’s cultural media industries including the book publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, magazine publishing, and music industries.

Congratulations to the finalists: Tribes of Mexica, Radek Koncewicz of Incubator Games; Safe Break, Justin Dooley of Darkwave Studios; Fallen Champions,  Shiraz Baboo of  Gambaltte Corp; and Solar Chaos, Sarith Nugawila, Student, TriOS College.

Thank you to all those that attended, our generous sponsors, and all those whose hard work made Vortex 2009 such a great success.  See you at Vortex 2010!

As you may know, Ubisoft is currently working on opening a new AAA development studio in Toronto – check out Ubisoft’s Employee #1 page on Facebook to see what they’re up to in Toronto, and get the latest on what they’re planning for the new studio.

For more information on the fund and upcoming information sessions you can download the call for submissions, or visit the IDM page on the OMDC web site.