Telefilm Canada provides funding to independent video games

Telefilm Canada, the federal culture agency that develops and promotes Canadian audio/visual work, has been providing funding to independent video games in Canada, according to a piece on game industry site Gamasutra.

Vancouver-based Hothead Games received $536,069 for DeathSpank, the latest from acclaimed designer Ron Gilbert.

Meanwhile, Fez, from Montreal collective Polytron Corporation has received $73,682. 

The grant money is provided as “repayable advances,” that only need to be paid back if the game turns a profit. The amount to be paid back can also be reduced by 10 per cent if a French language version is provided.

Below is a video of Fez, expected to be released in 2010.

FEZ TRAILER 2 from fish on Vimeo.