Discovering Joint Production Chances Across Europe: A Guide
In the ever-evolving world of film and television, securing co-production opportunities in Europe can be a crucial step towards bringing your creative vision to life. Here's a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate this exciting journey.
- Identify Suitable Co-Production Markets and Industry Events
Attend key European film industry platforms where co-production projects are presented, and financiers gather. Examples include the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Industry Days, the Venice Gap-Financing Market, and Les Arcs Coproduction Village at Les Arcs Film Festival. These events offer a platform for European independent film projects seeking co-producers and financiers.
- Prepare and Submit Your Project for Selection
Each event typically has an application and selection process for projects in development or late-stage funding. Apply with a fully developed project package, including script, budget, financing plan, producer information, and meet the deadlines. Projects often require a significant portion of funding to be locked and a thorough presentation of how minority co-production shares are structured.
- Leverage Networking Opportunities at Events
Participate actively in one-to-one meetings, panels, pitching sessions, and networking events designed to connect producers with potential co-producers, financiers, distributors, and broadcasters. Use these settings to build relationships, understand partner’s strategic and market expectations, and seek cross-border collaboration opportunities.
- Understand and Utilize European Public Support and Incentives
Research national film funds and European co-production treaties relevant to your project. For example, the Czech Republic is reforming audiovisual legislation, expanding incentives, and requiring streaming platforms to invest in local production, creating new partnership opportunities. Eurimages, a major European co-production fund, offers financial awards through various industry villages like Les Arcs.
- Negotiate and Formalize Co-Production Agreements
Develop co-production contracts that outline financial contributions, rights, responsibilities, revenue sharing, and creative control, respecting European co-production treaty frameworks. Seek legal advice specializing in international film co-productions.
- Engage Ancillary Partners and Distribution Channels
Beyond co-producers, identify partners such as distributors, festivals, broadcasters, or emerging platforms. Tailor your project’s business plan for different European territories by understanding cultural and commercial dynamics.
- Secure Funding and Access Post-Production Support
Use co-production opportunities to unlock gap financing, access regional funds, stimulate international sales, and gain market visibility at festivals and markets.
This roadmap relies on proactive participation in credible European industry events, preparing strong project materials, leveraging public support mechanisms, and cultivating strategic international partnerships for your film or TV project.
Italy offers a tax credit of up to 40%, while the United Kingdom offers Film Tax Relief (FTR) of up to 25.5%. The minority co-producer's contribution in a European co-production must be between 10% and 70%. The UK is still a member of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production and maintains numerous bilateral treaties with European countries, enabling UK producers to continue co-producing with European partners.
To find the right European co-production partner, focus on finding a partner whose incentives and culture align with your project's needs, rather than just chasing the biggest rebate. Our website offers a dynamic, global marketplace that connects producers with vetted partners, providing access to real-time data on thousands of production companies, their projects, and their deal-making history.
The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production is considered the master key that unlocks the entire continent for producers. Producers can join our website's Business Network to access a global marketplace of vetted producers and deal-makers and receive updates and access instructions via email. Eurimages provides financial support up to 17% of the budget (capped at €500,000).
Remember, the creative and financial success of your project depends on your ability to form strategic partnerships and navigate the intricate web of European co-production opportunities. Good luck on your journey!
- By attending events like the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Industry Days, Venice Gap-Financing Market, and Les Arcs Coproduction Village, you can identify co-production markets where your creative vision might find a suitable partner.
- To secure co-production opportunities in Europe, it's important to prepare and submit a fully developed project package for selection, and to utilize European public support and incentives such as national film funds and co-production treaties.
