News from Hot Docs in Toronto where Northern Ireland production company Fine Point Films has teamed up with Toronto based Fadoo Productions in a new development initiative called ‘The Silver Fund’ which has the potential to invest up to (US) $500,000 (£345,000) over two years in documentaries, with up to (US) $50,000 (£35,000) available per project.
This has been made possible through funding secured by both companies from Northern Ireland Screen and private Canadian firm Green Arrow Productions, controlled by Toronto entrepreneur, Michael Silver.
Fine Point Films and Fadoo recently cemented ties on their upcoming feature documentary about Manchester United football legend George Best. The Silver Fund was officially launched at Hot Docs 2016. It is in the market to support high-end feature documentaries and ambitious episodic series in the nonfiction space.
The fund is looking to support productions at an already advanced stage of development, to assist those stand-out projects ready for production, but which are not yet fully financed. The fund will be most receptive to projects which can secure cornerstone finance from major North American broadcasters, streaming services and private equity sources.
Andrew Reid of Northern Ireland Screen said: “Northern Ireland Screen is delighted to be partnering with Green Arrow Productions, Fine Point Films and Fadoo Productions on The Silver Fund development slate. This is an exemplary project for Northern Ireland Screen’s strategy which prioritises international development and production opportunities for Northern Ireland based production companies.”
Trevor Birney of Fine Point Films said: “This announcement couldn’t be more exciting or significant. We’re already working with some of industry’s top directing talent and The Silver Fund will now provide the fuel in our development tank. We want to create partnerships with the best production and distribution companies in the business.”
At Hot Docs 2016 Fine Point Films is having the World Premiere of feature documentary ‘Bobby Sands: 66 Days (also recently selected in competition at Sheffield) in the Special Presentations section of the festival, and along with its colleagues in Fadoo Productions, will be attending the Forum and deal–maker sessions.
