WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS DO YOU FUND?
Shaw Rocket funding is intended to support projects that are primarily targeted to children. We fund fiction or non-fiction programs, including series, pilots, specials, documentaries, variety, animation, made-for-television movies and feature films.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE "PRIMARILY TARGETED TO CHILDREN" FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONSIDERED FAMILY?
Stories for youth programming must be told from a youths' point of view in order to qualify. Family, documentary and variety programs must demonstrate relevance to children either through the topic or in its presentation. General audience programs will not qualify.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL APPLICATION CRITERIA?
  a.  Your project must have a Canadian broadcast licence in order to apply.
  b.  The program must meet at least 8 out 10 Canadian content points.
  c.  Principal photography cannot commence before the deadline date.

WHEN CAN I SEND IN MY APPLICATIONS?
Applications are accepted 4 weeks prior to the deadline date up to 5:00 PM MST on the actual deadline date.

HOW MUCH DOES THE FUND INVEST?
Historically, the Shaw Rocket Fund invests an average of $250,000 in 13 x ½ hour episode series, made-for-television movies or feature films. An investment higher than historical averages will be considered if the business plan, primarily the recoupment proposal, supports the request. In respect to low budget productions, Rocket Fund investment will be based on the reasonable needs of the production, and will be considered on a project-by-project basis.

WHAT IS THE ATLANTIC INCENTIVE?
The Atlantic Regional Incentive is an additional equity investment for Atlantic based productions, which is in addition to the Shaw Rocket standard investment. The amount of the incentive is based on the financing needs of the production, to a maximum of $50,000.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL INCENTIVE?
The applicant must be an Atlantic based producer having a majority ownership (at least 51%) in the project. At least 51% of the Canadian production costs must be spent in Atlantic Canada.

ARE DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES AVAILABLE?
No, at this time the Shaw Rocket Fund only participates with production equity financing.

HOW ARE FUNDING DECISIONS MADE?
The Shaw Rocket Fund's independent Board of Directors meet at least 3 times annually to review applications for funding. Applications are evaluated on the basis of creative quality, financial strength of the proposal and the values and benefits that it provides to the intended target audience.

HAS THE BOARD EVER COMMITTED LESS MONEY THAN REQUESTED?
Yes, the Board has committed below requested amounts, but also commits at the requested amount. If the funding request is higher than our historical average for a similar type of program, the strength of the proposal including Shaw Rocket Fund recoupment and the demand on the Fund will help determine the level of funding.

HOW QUICKLY ARE FUNDING DECISIONS MADE AFTER THE DEADLINE?
Applicants will be notified of the final decision of their application within eight to ten weeks of the application deadline.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS AND FUNDING THAT A PRODUCTION COMPANY CAN RECEIVE?
No. Each application is judged on its own merit. Rocket Fund will expect reasonable preferred recoupment from companies that receive multiple investments in one fiscal year.

IF THE PROJECT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT A DEADLINE, CAN WE RE-APPLY?
Funding decisions by the Shaw Rocket Fund Board are final. There have been occasions were the Board agreed to accept a re-submission of a declined project at a later date. This is an exception.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?
Shaw Rocket Fund is a CRTC regulated independent fund supported by Shaw Communications, Shaw Pay-Per View a division of Shaw Cablesystems G.P., Star Choice, EastLink Cablesystems and Delta Cable Communications.