What are the opportunities for co-production with the UK? All the answers on the occasion of the in-depth study of UK in Spotlight at MIA 2018.
UK in Spotlight. How to co-produce with the UK: an overview of incentives to film production in the UK, this is the MIA|Cinema event of October 18, 2018. In collaboration with the BFI-British Film Institute, the British Council, the British Embassy in Rome, the panel focused on the UK film and regulatory funding landscape, showing the opportunities for co-production. Panel guests included Samantha Perahia (Head of Production UK for the British Film Commission), Andrea Calderwood (Producer, Potboiler Productions), Natalie Coleman (Investment Manager, Head Gear Films), Emily Morgan (Producer, Quiddity Films). The event was moderated by Wendy Mitchell (Screen International).
“The British Film Commission – explains Samantha Perahia – allows companies to claim up to 25% of the eligible expenses for projects that qualify as British. The works may be international, but they must be considered British. Andrea Calderwood‘s speech on the characteristics that projects must have is interesting: “Films must be as creative as possible, they must not only be looking for co-productions, because the money will come back”.
“How difficult is it to be a British producer? – Emily Morgan highlights – I can say that I feel very involved, because the BFI listens to you and gives you money quickly, making you more involved in the making”. Natalie Coleman (Investment Manager di Head Gear Films) points out that “you need to structure what you are going to say about what you are going to do, so you can find an equity partner. Don’t be afraid to come and ask but be sure to know the person you are talking to, because we genuinely want to help”.
