Film

End-to-end legal and commercial support from development through global release

Our legal expertise, commercial nous and technical skill span every stage of today’s film process from the development, financing and production of theatrical feature films through to worldwide exploitation on multiple platforms.  We work across the full spectrum of film formats, from shorts to animation, scripted to documentary representing international studios, award-winning producers, some of the industry’s best-known studios, financiers, distributors, sales agents, banks and UK public funders.

Moving from film concept to screen

Our Film team provide top tier legal and business affairs services on hundreds of productions a year with many of the team having worked in-house within the film industry.

With decades of global content industry knowledge, we support clients on complex film projects, immersing ourselves in all aspects of the creative process – sales, distribution and production. Our widely regarded Media Finance team broker and structure finance deals that protect clients’ interests and assist producers to successfully access global audiovisual tax incentives.

A depth of experience across the filmmaking lifecycle

We advise on all aspects of filmmaking, including

Development:

• options over literary works
• purchase of rights: writers’ agreements
• life story rights agreements
• development funding including individual and slate development deals
• co-production
• first look arrangements
• overhead deals

Financing:

• international co-productions
• multiple party financings
• equity investments
• bank and/or senior lender financings
• regional and national funding
• security arrangements
• tax efficient structures
• refinancing

Our film finance lawyers represent most of the major UK based banks and post house financiers active in this sector, as well as other leading lending institutions and private equity firms. 

Production:

The whole range of production agreements, including:

• director, cast, crew and producer deals
• location and studio agreements
• music composing and licences
• footage clearance;
• releases
• post-production services and facilities, including special effects and delivery arrangements

Distribution:

• sales agency arrangements
• UK and international distribution deals
• sales and acquisitions
• broadcaster arrangements
• emerging media and ancillary rights
• format and sequel/prequel/spin off arrangements

Advice beyond legals

Our Film team’s expertise extends far beyond strict legal advice given the long-standing relationships we have with so many of our clients; many of our lawyers have Executive Producer credits on client productions and we have specialist experience in structuring complex international co-productions and getting independent film projects off the ground.

Globally, we have significant experience in working with numerous stakeholders across many jurisdictions on international film projects acting as a single point of contact for our clients’ international legal requirements.