There's a pretty significant announcement on Sept 16, 2008, for new media folks looking to build interactive media projects.

We've been working with the Department of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines (STEM), to update the Manitoba Interactive Digitial Media Fund (MIDMF), and announce a new media labour tax credit in Manitoba. You will DEFINITELY want to attend this event to hear what funding opportunities are available for you and your company. I can tell you that Minister Rondeau and his team at STEM have been working pretty hard to offer two nationally competitive incentives that could bring the same kind of notoriety to Manitoba that the local film and television industry has seen the past few years. Personally, I am excited about any programs that will help grow our own new media rock stars!

One of the significant things about the two announcements STEM is making is that it bucks a national trend to cut new media funding. It was recently announced by the feds that they are eliminating the Canadian New Media Fund (CNMF), a program that many developers took advantage of across Canada. Our province has seized the opportunity to invest in local interactive media producers and innovate in new ways. On Sept. 16, you will hear firsthand about the updates to the Manitoba Interactive Digitial Fund and Tax Credit and have the chance to ask questions about how you can leverage these programs into successful projects for your company.

Registration for the financing workshop is officially closed, however, you can always try showing up to see if there's room.

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The Department of Science Technology Energy and Mines (STEM) along with New Media Manitoba are pleased to invite you to the:

Interactive Digital Media Financing Workshop
Red River College Downtown Campus - Multipurpose Room (main floor)
September 16, 2008, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Agenda:
10:00   Welcoming remarks by Kevin Hnatiuk
10:05   Greetings from Minister Rondeau
10:15   Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit Program Overview
11:15   Q and A
12:00   Lunch
12:15   Keynote Speaker:  Ryan Fitzgerald, Digital Nations
1:00     Interactive Digital Media Fund Program Overview
1:30     Q and A

The Interactive Digital Media Financing Workshop will be a blend of presentations by program managers and producers to demonstrate the financing opportunities for your interactive digital media product fundraising. Refreshments and a light lunch will be served.

STEM will provide an overview of the newly launched interactive digital media tax credit program as well as announce recent updates to the Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Fund. Questions and Answers will also be taken from the floor.

During the lunch break, convergence producer Ryan Fitzgerald will speak on the Digital Nations project.  This convergence project involves production of three streams of short films suitable for both theatrical & broadcast distribution and a mobile phone application all connected through a web 2.0 content management website.  Digital Nations will invite users to share international perspectives on culture and identity as translated through digital media.

Reigstration is closed.