Montreal: The Independent Production Fund reports it invested more than $2.9 million in 1999 including $1.25 million in five Canadian primetime drama series and $1.48 million in nine family or children's series. In its just-released annual report, the fund says last year's equity investment supported 150 hours of original programming. ipf also granted funding to 16 professional development and training programs.

In a preface to the report, ipf president Peter Mortimer says in order to meet the accelerated Canadian Television Fund deadlines, the fund "had to evaluate and process, approve and finance an entire year's slate of productions in the first quarter."

ipf funds come from broadcast distribution undertakings, which are required to contribute 80% of their mandated annual levy to the ctf. The balance may be contributed to a "certified" private-sector fund, including the ipf.

ipf also administers two other private funds, the Cogeco Program Development Fund and the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

In the period 1991 to 1999, ipf has invested $27.7 million in 113 drama series. The next ipf application deadlines are Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.