Ontario Media Development Corporation
Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is the central catalyst for the province’s cultural media cluster including book publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, magazine publishing and music industries.
OMDC promotes, enhances and leverages investment, jobs, and original content creation by:
(a) contributing to the continued expansion of a business environment in Ontario that is advantageous to the growth of the cultural media industry and to the growth of new employment, investment and production opportunities in Ontario;
(b) facilitating and supporting innovation, invention and excellence in Ontario ’s cultural media industry by stimulating creative production, format innovation and new models of collaboration among sectors of the cultural media industry;
(c) fostering and facilitating co-operation among entities within the cultural media industry and between the public and private sectors to stimulate synergies in product development and the creation of products with original Canadian content;
(d) assisting in the promotion and marketing of Ontario’s cultural media industry as a world-class leader;
(e) administering provincial tax credit programs and such other programs and initiatives as may be required by legislation or a Minister of the Government of Ontario; and
(f) acting as a catalyst for information, research and technological development in the cultural media industry provincially, nationally and internationally.
To help Ontario be recognized as a leading global jurisdiction to invest in, create, produce and enjoy original cultural media product.
“Culture is our Business”
Chief Executive Office
A Chief Executive Officer oversees OMDC’s activities in conjunction with the agency’s Board of Directors to achieve the agency’s mandate. Corporate Communications and the Corporate Secretariat are also located in this office.
OMDC’s services and programs are delivered through the following divisions:
Business Affairs and Research: coordinates strategic and business planning, agency operations (including financial services, information technology, human resources) and industry research and data collection. The group also coordinates annual operational support to the Toronto International Film Festival Group and the Canadian Film Centre.
Industry Development: provides opportunities for cultural entrepreneurs to create and market new products, develop existing markets and access new markets and grow their business via:
- Industry Initiatives: assists Ontario companies through Content and Marketing Funds (OMDC Book Fund, OMDC Film Fund, OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund, OMDC Magazine Fund, OMDC Music Fund) the OMDC Export Fund (Books, Film and Television, Interactive Digital Media, Music) and indirect support to third parties for events and activities that stimulate the growth of Ontario’s cultural media industries. OMDC also administers the Trillium Book Award to foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and writing.
- Film Commission: attracts, promotes and facilitates film and television production and post-production activities in Ontario, offering scouting assistance to decision-makers considering Ontario as a location and facilitation and trouble-shooting during production shooting.
- OMDC’s Digital Location Library: on-line virtual scouting from anywhere in the world, 24 hours-a-day.
- OMDC/FilmOntario/City of Toronto’s Partnership: builds Ontario’s profile as a film and television production centre at home and abroad through its office in Los Angeles.
Tax Credits and Financing Programs: administers, processes and assesses eligibility for the Ontario Government’s book publishing, film, television, digital media and sound recording tax credit programs: Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit, Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit, Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, Ontario Production Services Tax Credit, Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit and the Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit.
In conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, the group evaluates tax credit applications according to government legislation and regulations. Information and referral services are provided for applicants and potential applicants as are tax credit information sessions. The group also promotes the program to national and international producers.