Film Co-production International Agreements
Where creative control of a film is shared between British and international partners, with a mix of British and international film production, a film could be called a co-production.
Co-production status can help filmmakers, as they often qualify for benefits like tax relief, in both the UK and the partner country. To be eligible, films must comply with the relevant ?co-production agreement?.
There have been 385 co-production films made over the last seven years, with an average UK expenditure of 35%, which has been worth over ?700 million to the economy.
The British Film Institute advises applicants and DCMS on the granting of co-production status in the UK. Foreign co-producers apply to the relevant "competent authority" in the partner country.
Applications for official co-production status
Films that began production after 1 January 2007
UK co-producers must apply to the Certification Unit at the British Film Institute, email:
certifications@bfi.org.uk Films that began production before 1 January 2007
UK co-producers should continue to apply to the Film Certification Officer at DCMS, email:
tim.scott@culture.gsi.gov.uk The co-production application processA co-production application is a two stage application process:
a provisional application must be made at least four weeks before principal photography commences
the final application must be made after the production process is complete
The treaties and details of the partner countries, and application forms and guidance notes for applying for co-production status (relating to the new film tax relief) are available from the British Film Institute website.
Foreign co-producers applying for co-production status abroad will need to contact the relevant ?competent authority? in that country:
Australia: Australian Film Commission
Canada: Telefilm Canada
France: Centre National de la Cinematographie
India: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Jamaica: Jamaica Trade and Invest
New Zealand: New Zealand Film Commission
South Africa: The Department of Arts and Culture
Co-production agreements in force
The UK has seven existing co-production treaties, with: Australia, Canada, France, India, Jamaica, New Zealand and South Africa.
The treaty with Jamaica came into force on 19 November 2007
The Indian treaty was brought into force in October 2008
The UK has also signed up to the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production.
Copies of the agreements
UK/Australia PDF (51kb) ISBN: 0101175825
UK/Canada PDF(110kb) (full amended text including last revision by Protocol 1992)
UK/France PDF (87kb) ISBN: 0101299222
UK/India PDF (633kb) ISBN:
UK/Jamaica PDF (100kb) ISBN: 0101716826
UK/New Zealand PDF (112kb) ISBN: 0101263821
UK/South Africa PDF (105kb) ISBN: 0101686625
European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production PDF(131kb) ISBN: 0101249527
Download Applications:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/creative_industries/4112.aspx
