Canadian children’s network YTV and Fireworks Entertainment are partnering to assist independent Canadian producers of children’s TV programs to develop new projects.

Dubbed ‘FYI’ (the Fireworks/YTV Initiative), the fund provides emerging producers with access to the developmental, production, broadcast, distribution and financing expertise of the two companies.

‘The fund is there to help talented people with great ideas who don’t have the resources independently to see projects through to completion,’ says Deborah Firestone, director of development at Fireworks Entertainment.

The idea for the fund came out of discussions between the two companies about the challenges facing producers of kids programming and the realities of getting independent productions done in Canada. Fireworks, which produces and distributes shows such as La Femme Nikita and F/X: The Series, has recently begun to develop youth-oriented series and made-for-television movies.

The companies will work in tandem to review projects on a case-by-case basis. They are looking for ideas that are in the developmental stage that can be tailored to meet broadcasters’ needs. ‘We will be very hands on,’ says Firestone. ‘We’re prepared to be as involved as necessary at every stage.’

The fund is available specifically to support Canadian producers, but Firestone says that she has recieved inquiries from international companies that are actively seeking Canadian co-production partners.