bravoFACT Announces New Documentary Fund bravoFACTUAL

- bravoFACTUAL to fund grants of up to $50,000 for short documentary films -

- Robert Culbert announced as bravoFACTUAL consultant; Richard Crouse announced as bravoFACT consultant -

- Submission guidelines now available on bravofact.com -

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TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Bravo announced today the addition of funding for short-form documentary films to its bravoFACT (Foundation to Assist Talent) program. Canada's largest funder of short-form scripted film and video content, bravoFACT will now fund short documentaries with grants up to $50,000 via bravoFACTUAL. The first deadline for bravoFACTUAL submissions is October 31, 2013. The announcement comes as nine bravoFACT-funded short films screen at this year's Toronto International Film Festival^©, including Wakening, which opened the festival before last night's world premiere of The Fifth Estate at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre.

Also announced today is the addition of a consultant to each fund. For the first time, grant recipients have access to a consultant, who provides mentorship, guidance, and consultation throughout the production of each recipient's short. Award-winning journalist and industry veteran Robert (Bob) Culbert was announced as consultant for bravoFACTUAL, and respected film critic, media personality, and author Richard Crouse was named consultant for bravoFACT. In addition to mentoring grant recipients, both consultants join senior Bravo executives and chair Michael Levine in embracing bravoFACT's goal to increase public recognition and appreciation of Canadian talent.

** Media Note ** - Download photos of Richard Crouse and Bob Culbert at www.bellmediapr.ca/bravo

"We are thrilled to expand the scope of bravoFACT to include a fund supporting short-form documentaries," said Catherine MacLeod, Senior Vice President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. "With the addition of the new fund, and of Bob and Richard, bravoFACT solidifies its position as a key incubator of emerging talent in Canada."

"Having bravoFACT broaden its range of impressive creative work into the documentary genre is a wonderful development," said Culbert. "This is a significant boost of support for the art of documentary in Canada, especially the next generation of producers and directors. I look forward to seeing the many great documentary shorts which will be made as a result of this initiative."

"bravoFACT is one of the premier talent incubators for filmmakers in Canada," said Crouse. "I am thrilled and humbled to have been asked to contribute to this great organization."

Award-winning print media and television journalist Bob Culbert is currently the head of independent production company Culbert Productions and Consulting. After a distinguished, nearly 30-year career with the CBC, Culbert joined CTV from 2000-2009 as Vice-President of Documentaries. In 2012, he was named to Playback magazine's Hall Of Fame for his contributions to broadcast journalism and documentary production in Canada.

Media personality Richard Crouse is a regular film critic for CTV's CANADA AM and CTV NEWS CHANNEL. The former REEL TO REAL and IN SHORT host can now be heard on his syndicated radio show ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA on Bell Media's News Talk1010 and via his two weekly columns for Metro News. Crouse is also the author of six books on pop culture history, including the best-selling The 100 Best Movies You've Never Seen.

Full biographies for Bob Culbert and Richard Crouse can be found here.

bravoFACT and bravoFACTUAL submission guidelines:

• Scripted bravoFACT projects with a running time of up to seven minutes and 30 seconds are eligible for grants up to $50,000.
• bravoFACTUAL documentaries with a running time of up to fifteen minutes are eligible for grants up to $50,000.
• There are four submission deadlines per broadcast year for scripted applications, and two deadlines per broadcast year for documentary applications. The first bravoFACTUAL documentary submission deadline is October 31, 2013.

For more information about bravoFACT, bravoFACTUAL, full submission guidelines, and deadlines, visit http://bravofact.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
@RichardCrouse
@bravofact

About bravoFACT
Bell Media's bravoFACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) was established in 1995 by the national specialty channel Bravo. The foundation is the largest funder of short films in Canada having supported over 1,500 short-form projects across the country. bravoFACT is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about bravoFACT can be found at www.bravofact.com.

About Bravo
Bravo delivers compelling stories through clever and immersive programming to viewers across Canada. From high-profile dramas to blockbuster feature films, Bravo is home to award-winning entertainment. Bravo is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about Bravo is available at www.bravo.ca.

SOURCE: Bravo