Newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

From your Board
Stay tuned for information about our game development workshop set for mid-October, building on the incredible success of our March 9 Interactive event. The event will be dealing with some of the more practical aspects of how to build games and more real-world examples of successes.

Working in conjunction with Science West, our first of two game development camps for high school students is underway from July 10-21 with the second running July 24-Aug 4. Log on to http://www.science-west.ca for information and registration. Other exciting announcements about additional opportunities are expected to follow!

As a result of the meeting of the Pan-Western interactive media associations on June 13 in Vancouver, we will be meeting again July 25 in Saskatoon to outline and plan collective opportunities, streamline our collective websites, share training & speaker resources and build our respective industries together.

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Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 11:19:33 -0400
Subject: OPPORTUNITY: September 2006 High Level Trade Mission to China with Ministers

You are invited to join Minister Emerson and Minister Oda on a trade mission to China in early September. If your business is exploring the China market this is an ideal opportunity to establish high level contacts.

Preparations are underway for a September 5 - 12, 2006 arts and culture trade mission to China, led Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, along with Minister Emerson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Lynda Brown of New Media BC is working with Trade Routes to identify new media companies that would like to participate in this mission. We are currently developing a preliminary program for the Mission, which is expected to include business-to-business meetings, round tables and presentations, and networking events.

If you're committed to exploring business in China this may be an ideal opportunity to join a high level delegation, expand your network and touch on new markets. *Please note that you will need to cover the majority of your travel and accommodation costs.*

If you would like to be considered for the mission and are able to assume the costs for your participation, please contact me by email before July 27th.

president@saskinteractive.com

Telefilm Canada announces its commitment to 28 projects
through the Canada New Media Fund

Montreal, July 10, 2006 - Telefilm Canada announces its commitment, under the Canada New Media Fund, to 18 English-language and 10 French-language new media projects selected from 80 submitted projects.

In all, 117 applications were received at the April 3, 2006 deadline for the Canada New Media Fund. Given that the Fund provides financial support for three phases of product assistance - Market Research & Prototyping, Product Development and Marketing - companies may submit multiple applications for a single project.

The 28 projects receiving Telefilm's financial assistance feature a broad range of platforms including wireless, game consoles, DVD-ROMs, and both convergent and independent Websites. Projects also include an intriguing assortment of games and edutainment properties.

World travel and cultural experiences in both historic and contemporary environments, the celebration of French culture, and fantasy-inspired adventure games are but a sampling of the exciting new products supported thus far in 2006.

Next deadlines
August 14, 2006 is the next deadline for Product Development and Marketing. Applications for Market Research and Prototyping may be submitted between August 14 and December 15, 2006 or until all funds are committed.

eTelefilm®
New media producers are encouraged to streamline their application process to Telefilm Canada by taking advantage of its eTelefilm® service. Companies that submit applications via eTelefilm® enjoy two notable advantages:
• Access to direct deposit for Telefilm funding payments; and
• Submission of applications up to 10 p.m. (EST) on the deadline date (vs. 5 p.m. for those delivered to a Telefilm office).

To register online visit: www.telefilm.gc.ca/extranet/en/02_comment.asp.

Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to the development and promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences. The Corporation also administers the funding programs of the Canadian Television Fund.

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Media inquiries:
Douglas Chow, Deputy Director, Strategic Communications
(514) 283-6363 or 1-800-567-0890, chowd@telefilm.gc.ca
Shelley Nowazek, Communications Officer
(604) 666-1881 or 1-800-663-7771, nowazes@telefilm.gc.ca

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IPL Business Strategy Clinic
Program Dates: October 2006
· Are you a Canadian new media company/producer?
· Does your team consist of two or more members?
· Do you have a working prototype with a business plan already in place?
· Do you need advice on getting your product/project to the next stage?

If so this workshop is for you!

Starting May 31, 2006, BNMI, in partnership with The Interactive Project Lab, will be accepting applications from new media developers that need help getting their projects to the next stage. Ten project teams will be selected and matched with industry leaders for an intensive four day strategy session in Banff. The teams will focus on their project's conceptualization, interactive design, funding sources, legal issues, and possible partners.

Applications are encouraged from:
· Atlantic Canada
· British Columbia
· Prairies
· N.W.T.

The Interactive Project Lab (IPL) accelerates the creative, business, and technical skills of Canadian talent, enabling the creation of viable start-up companies that produce innovative cultural and entertainment works. The IPL is a unique partnership collectively designed and delivered by The Banff Centre's Banff New Media Institute, the Canadian Film Centre's Habitat New Media Lab in Toronto, and L'Institut national de l'image et du son in Montreal.

To apply visit: www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/programs/

Please support our efforts to grow our industry by becoming a member and presenting a united voice in Saskatchewan. Pass this email on to everyone you know in the industry. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, visit http://www.snmda.sk.ca (soon to switch over to http://www.saskinteractive.com).

Funding for the Saskatchewan Interactive newsletter is provided solely through the good graces of our overworked and dedicated volunteers. Don’t just sit back – help us to grow the industry by supporting our efforts - join our organization and make your voice heard through your industry representatives. We are making a difference!

Website: http://www.saskinteractive.com