A highly experienced film and TV lawyer advising producers, financiers and sales agents on all aspects of production, financing and distribution. A commercial and strategic problem solver, Christos is known for his deep understanding of the independent film landscape, his work with studio/streamer deals and for being an indefatigable supporter of creative people.
Christos heads up Lee & Thompson’s renowned Film group. He is a highly experienced film and TV lawyer specialising in all aspects of production, financing and distribution of film and TV, with a particular focus on complex multi-party structured arrangements, coproductions and studio/streamer deals. His diverse list of clients includes award-winning producers, innovative financiers, industry leading sales agents and distributors, government institutions and banks.
Christos has played a pivotal role in structuring and negotiating deals across the independent and studio sectors, to bring feature films, documentaries and high-end television drama projects to life.
Significant film projects include Venice Film Festival audience award winner “Ish” (Imran Perretta), BAFTA-nominated “The Apprentice” (Ali Abbasi), “Ballad of A Small Player” (Edward Berger), “The Outrun” (Nora Fingscheidt), “Hot Milk” (Rebecca Lemiewicz), “Bird” (Andrea Arnold), “Cliffhanger” (Jaume Collet-Serra) and “Havoc” (Gareth Evans). Christos occasionally also serves as Executive Producer on projects such “Rebel Dread“, “Hope Gap” and “People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan“.
A passionate advocate for the UK film industry, Christos speaks at industry events and seminars in the UK and internationally, including the acclaimed ‘Inside Pictures’ scheme and for the NFTS, LFS and the International Screen Institute. In addition, he provides legal support for the reestablished Edinburgh International Film Festival. His dedication to the sector, combined with his deep legal and commercial insight, is reflected in the latest UK editions of legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, both ranking Christos as a leader in his field.
Christos initially trained at magic circle firm Linklaters before joining Harbottle & Lewis, where he was part of the Entertainment Law Team of the Year (as voted by Legal Business) and was also seconded to head up Business Affairs for ten television production companies at Chrysalis Visual Entertainment. Christos then spent six years in house as Head of Business Affairs of the Icon International & Distribution, overseeing development, finance, production, sales agency and distribution in the UK, Australia and internationally working on films such as “Apocalypto” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien” and on TV productions such as “Foyle’s War“. Christos is one of the only private practice lawyers in the UK to have had this in-house experience at a leading US and UK vertically integrated independent film company.
Christos is a member of BAFTA, BSAC and BFI.
