Hop To It wins IDM Development Funding for YOLO Bistro Project

Producers Nina Beveridge and Susan Nation of Hop To It Productions are pleased to announce that Ontario Creates has awarded Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Concept Definition funding to the YOLO Bistro (AKA Sloppy Jones) project.

This funding from Ontario Creates, on top of the funding already received from the CMF, will enable the producers to increase the level of mentoring for the talented young team of writers (Jamie Hart, Jonathan Neil Alexander, and Sophie Nation), improve the quality of the pitch materials they are developing and develop a market-ready proof of concept. This will make the project much more likely to find an audience and get production funding.

Consultants Amanda Walsh, Jill Golick, Carrie Cutforth, and Judy Croon will be supporting the team. With these incredible mentors, the writers will be able to develop the best creative possible.

This creative includes the 2-minute sizzle video, The team can now afford to invest in an incredible ACTRA cast that includes Ontario comedic icon Linda Kash, award-winning DGC director, and mentor Winnifred Jong, and DOP Dale Hilderbrand, a highly professional slightly larger crew and a great location/set.

The producers and creators would like to thank CMF and Ontario Creates for giving them this tremendous opportunity to build their expertise, their slate, and their future. The team looks forward to working with such amazing people and sharing their relevant and relatable queer stories and humour.

Applying for the extremely competitive IDM funding was hard, but valuable work. It required research, thought, planning, and discipline. Being selected is worth celebrating!

Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Concept Definition Program

The Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Concept Definition and Production programs provide IDM content creators with funding for high quality, original interactive digital media content projects that make a positive contribution to the Ontario economy. Concept Definition provides support for early-stage activities that will assist the applicant company in moving towards the production of a market-ready content project.