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BFI International department�bfi.org.uk

Overview of UK Support

Lead on international policy for the BFI, including UK co-production treaties
In collaboration with the British Film Commission, it ensures the best conditions for inward investment productions to come to the U.K.
Manage International delegations and trade missions, supporting UK and international producers and creatives to connect

Provide funding for industry-facing initiatives promoting UK film and supporting the engagement of UK filmmakers with international counterparts
Administer the Film Export Fund, to boost UK talent selected for international festivals

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UK Film & Television Tax Reliefs�www.bfi.org.uk/apply-british-certification-tax-relief

Overview of UK Support

Film tax relief, High End TV, animation television and children’s television tax reliefs are available at a rate of 25% of production expenditure capped at 80% of qualifying UK expenditure
Film must be intended for theatrical release and television must be intended for broadcast release (include VOD/SVOD)
Minimum 10% spend in the UK

Production must be made by a UK company incorporated within the UK corporation tax net
Films and programmes must qualify as British to be eligible for relief either under the relevant cultural test or as an official co-production
The BFI Certification Unit is the first point of contact and can advise on how to qualify under the cultural tests or as an official co-production

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British Film Commission�britishfilmcommission.org.uk

Overview of UK Support

The UK’s national agency with a remit to maximise and support the production of international feature film and television in the UK.
Their website provides information about UK locations, studio space and crew
They maintain a filmography of recent productions shooting in the UK

They also publish guidance relating to UK production, from Coronavirus guidance to information about visas and sponsorship
And, outline UK regulations related to filming in the UK

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UK Film Funds�https://www.weareukfilm.com/sources-of-funding/uk-film-makers

Overview of UK Support

UK-wide

BFI Film Fund
UK Global Screen Fund
BBC Film
Film4
BFI Doc Society (documentaries)

Nations & Regions

Northern Ireland Screen
Ffilm Cymru Wales
Screen Scotland
Creative UK - West Midlands Production Fund (regional)
Liverpool Film Office - The Liverpool City Region Production Fund (regional)
Screen Yorkshire - Yorkshire Content Fund (regional)

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UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF)�

A £7m per annum fund designed to boost international development and distribution opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector

Financed by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and delivered by the BFI

Supporting international business development, co-production, promotion and distribution

UK Global Screen Fund

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Aims

UK Global Screen Fund

Grow the revenue and sustainability of UK independent screen businesses by supporting their international activity

Enable industry to grow international partnerships and to develop projects with international appeal for mutual benefit

Increase the reach of UK screen content to international audiences

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Funding

UK Global Screen Fund

International Business Development

Between £50,000 – £200,000 for independent UK companies working in film, TV, and interactive narrative games (open now)

�International Distribution

Film Sales Support (under review)

International Co-production

Up to £300,000 for minority UK feature film and minority or majority UK TV co-production (open Spring 2023)

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Resources for audiences and industry

UK Global Screen Fund: Resources

ScreenUK, a new consumer brand to promote UK screen content internationally, rolled out through a digital campaign to showcase and celebrate UK content to global audiences

screenuk.org

Research and Development

Audience Perception Study which drives ScreenUK content
VOD Data Platform (in development) to assist producers in the global marketplace

bfi.org.uk/industry-data-insights/reports

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International Co-production funding aims & requirements

UK Global Screen Fund: International Co-production funding

support UK producers to work as partners on international co-productions
increase the visibility, the level of financial and creative input, the revenues and the international track record of UK producers
enable global reach, supporting UK producers seeking to collaborate with international partners in new markets that they have not worked in before; and
strengthen ties with existing international partners in familiar foreign markets, thereby supporting reciprocal relationships

make persuasive cases for their international audience and market appeal
are able to show international distribution and revenue potential
access new markets that the UK production company has not previously engaged with, or strengthen ties with existing markets
improve reciprocity between the UK and other nations in co-production
come from teams that can demonstrate a previous successful track record, either at festivals, with awards, viewing figures or box office
have secured third party financing towards the proposed UK financial contribution to the relevant co-production

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Key points

UK Global Screen Fund: International Co-production funding

Applications must be made by the UK co-production company
Open to both Official and Unofficial co-productions
Funding is in the form of non-recoupable grants up to £300,000
Projects can be in any language
First time directors will be considered if other team track record can be shown
Production commencement date

within 6 months of deadline (for drama and animation); or
completion date within 18 months (for documentary)

UKGSF spend must be on UK elements. Post production costs can be supported if there are also other creative elements on the UK share
Two-window application cycle starting from early Spring 2023

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Eligibility

UK Global Screen Fund: International Co-production funding

60% of finance must be in place at the point of application
UKGSF funding cannot be more than 50% of total UK spend
One additional funding source minimum required in addition to UKGSF and UK Tax Relief
Must be capable of qualifying as British – either through a treaty or the cultural test
UK producer production track-record required – one lead credit on theatrical distribution or TV broadcast minimum
UK applicant ownership not more than 25% directly or indirectly held by a non UK 3^rd party
Principal photography/animation and completion requirements
Cannot have started production at point of application (excl. docs and animation)
10-20% minimum financial and creative contribution

FILM

UK Minority Co-productions of all genres are eligible

Majority Co-production minimum three broadcasters attached from different territories
Minority Co-production minimum two broadcasters attached from different territories
Animation and Documentary only

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Pilot year: the films

UK Global Screen Fund

THE COOP TROOP TV animation – China/France/UK
DRIFT, feature film – UK/France/Greece
THE SETTLERS, feature film UK/France/Chile/Argentina/Denmark/Sweden/Germany
MY HAPPY ENDING, feature film – Israel/UK
THE TUTOR, feature film – UK/Germany
THE MIRACLE CLUB, feature film – UK/Ireland
MERKEL, feature film documentary – UK/Denmark/Germany
THE GHASTLY GHOUL, TV animation – UK/Ireland
ELEPHANT MOTHER, TV Documentary – UK/Canada
STOLEN, feature film – UK/South Africa
BRING THEM DOWN, feature film - UK/Ireland/Belgium

Eight feature films and three TV projects

Two animation and two documentary projects

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Pilot year: £1.725m across 11 Awards and 13 territories

UK Global Screen Fund

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How do I find a UK Co-producer?

UK Global Screen Fund

Know why you want to co-produce with the UK and what you can bring to the partnership
Attend events like this one and other global festivals and markets
Do your research – who is making the work you admire? Use resources like the British Council UK films catalogue or BFC Filmography
Follow BFI Press & Industry channel for news about International projects and opportunities, including delegations and UK Global Screen Fund activities
Zoom & email are accessible tools – when you have made a connection, use them…

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��Q&A

UK Global Screen Fund

�

bfi.org.uk/international

bfi.org.uk/ukglobalscreenfund

� ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk