La Halte is introducing a new feature in our “Spotlight on our members” series. Today, we’ll explore the field, history, and projects of the Independent Production Fund (IPF).

1. Can you briefly introduce Independent Production Fund and explain what your business, mission, and/or services entail?

The Independent Production Fund (IPF) is a private fund that supports Canadian creators and producers by financing the development and production of fiction series. We operate across Canada, with an office in Toronto and an office in Montreal, from which all of the Fund’s French-language activities are managed.

Our mission is to foster the creation of original and distinctive series and to help producers reach key milestones in their career development. Each year, we launch various funding programs and evaluate submitted projects with the help of industry professionals. This role allows us to discover a wide variety of voices and support projects from across the country.

The IPF supports both traditional TV series and short-form series streamed on digital platforms. Over the years, we have helped fund series such as Empathie, Murdoch Mysteries, Mukbang, Casse-Gueule, Allegiance, Pour toi Flora, La dernière communion, T-Rex, Bête noire, My Dead Mom, Wipe Me Away (Je voudrais qu’on m’efface), Detective Surprenant, to name just a few.

2. Why did you choose a coworking space over another type of office? 

Since we’re a very small team in Montreal, it was important for us to find a motivating and stimulating work environment where we could also foster a sense of community. Having an office occupied solely by our team wouldn’t quite provide that aspect. We’d feel too isolated!

We also wanted to be based in a professional, pleasant, and well-equipped space where we could meet with our partners in conference rooms and, from time to time, host our colleagues from the Toronto office. In fact, they came to work with us last May and left feeling a little envious of our work environment and all the perks we enjoy at Halte 24-7!

3. Tell us a little about your role, your background, and what motivated you to start your business.

We did not found the IPF, a nonprofit organization that has been in existence since 1991, but our respective career paths led us to join the organization and contribute to its mission, each in our own way.

I, Catherine, have been working in the audiovisual industry for over fifteen years, primarily in production and content development. My career path has led me to focus on project funding and support. I am currently the deputy director of the Montreal office and manage IPF’s Francophone programs and activities.

Andréanne is the communications coordinator and community manager for the entire IPF, in both Montreal and Toronto. She has been working in marketing and communications for over ten years. Before joining the IPF in 2024, she worked in the literary field, notably handling communications for a children’s book publisher.

We share the same desire to support creators, showcase their projects, and contribute to the vitality of the cultural sector in Quebec and Canada.

4. Can you share details about some projects your team is currently working on?

Right now, the Canadian audiovisual industry is undergoing a period of significant transformation, and that’s keeping us very busy! We’re conducting rigorous monitoring to track developments in the sector, particularly institutional, regulatory, and legislative changes that could impact creators and funding organizations. It’s not the “sexiest” part of the job, but it’s important if we want to remain relevant and useful.

Also, our work these days involves a lot of travel to meet with communities. This fall, we’ll be a little less present in the office, as we’ll be representing the Fund at TIFF in Toronto, and then at FICFA in Moncton. We’ll also be traveling to Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Vancouver to support Francophone communities outside Quebec. We’ll even be making a trip to Spain to help promote Canadian series internationally. It’s shaping up to be a very busy fall!

5. What are your aspirations and plans for the coming years?

In the coming years, we hope that the IPF will continue to play an important role, while adapting to changes in the audiovisual industry.
We also want to strengthen our ties with the various creative communities across the country—particularly Francophone communities outside Quebec and other communities that are underrepresented on our screens—and contribute even more to the global reach of Canadian series, both here and abroad.

Finally, we hope to develop new collaborations with key partners in the sector. For us, the goal is both to build on what the IPF is already accomplishing and to remain open to new opportunities that will allow us to better support local stories and talent.

A membership plan tailored to their needs

The IPF team has been renting an office for four people at Halte 24-7 since April 2026. They use the meeting room time included in their membership to host their colleagues from Toronto for meetings in Montreal. We look forward to seeing their projects develop!