Identifying Collaborative Production Chances Across Europe
Navigating the European film industry for co-production opportunities can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a game-changer. Here's a guide to help you find and secure co-production partnerships across Europe.
Participate in Key Industry Events
Participating in key European film industry events and markets that focus on co-production is essential. Events like the Karlovy Vary Industry Days, Venice Gap-Financing Market, and CineLink Drama in Southeast Europe provide platforms for pitching projects, networking with potential co-producers, and gaining industry insights relevant to co-productions.
Research and Apply for Regional Funds and Incentives
Many European countries offer rebates and funding based on cultural or production criteria. For example, Scandinavian countries focus on artistic merit with rebates and regional spend requirements, while Central and Eastern European countries offer rebates between 20–35%, often requiring local service companies or co-producers. The Netherlands provides a 35% rebate on eligible Dutch spend with a minority co-producer requirement. Switzerland and Austria offer distinct incentive schemes with thematic preferences and up to 35% cash rebates.
Engage Early with Potential Co-producers
Engaging early with potential co-producers from target countries can improve access to development grants and relevant subsidies. Early involvement of co-producers can also help meet eligibility criteria for funding and incentives.
Utilize Industry Programs and Databases
Specialized workshops and incubators, like CineLink’s TV series development program or the Pop Up Series Incubator at Karlovy Vary, help refine projects and connect creators with co-producers and financiers. Online resources and databases, such as Windrose’s comprehensive listing of European public funding programs and production incentives, can help identify opportunities and deadlines relevant to your project’s target regions and genres.
Leverage the Power of Data and a Global Marketplace
The new way to find co-production partners is to use data and a dynamic, global marketplace that connects with vetted partners. These platforms offer insights into micro-dramas and mobile-first storytelling, who's creating, and who's buying. They provide access to real-time data on thousands of production companies, their projects, and their deal-making history. They also track global Film & TV projects, partners, and deals to find vendors, financiers, commissioners, licensors, and licensees.
France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom are top co-production countries with their own incentives and reasons for being hotspots. The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production, a multilateral treaty that sets the ground rules for co-productions between its 40+ member states, governs European co-productions. Eurimages, the cultural support fund of the Council of Europe, provides financial support as a conditionally repayable loan, typically up to 17% of the budget (capped at €500,000).
The Creative Europe MEDIA Programme, the European Union’s program to support the cultural and creative sectors, focuses on securing development funding for single projects or slates, and getting support for distribution across Europe. The platform offers a review of global TV+Film productions each month and provides insights into the production financing outlook from quarterly results of major companies like Netflix, BBC, Banijay, etc.
In conclusion, by combining participation in co-production markets and pitching forums, leveraging regional incentives, forming early co-production partnerships, and utilizing targeted industry programs and databases, you can effectively find and secure co-production opportunities across Europe for your film and TV projects. The platform is trusted by executives and leaders in the industry, and it offers a Project Tracker to see who is actively looking for partners.
- Exploring the European film industry's key events, such as the Karlovy Vary Industry Days, Venice Gap-Financing Market, and CineLink Drama in Southeast Europe, is crucial for co-production, as they offer platforms for pitching projects, networking with potential co-producers, and gaining relevant industry insights.
- To effectively find and secure co-production opportunities across Europe for movies and TV projects, it's essential to leverage a global marketplace that connects with vetted partners, offering insights into micro-dramas, mobile-first storytelling, and providing access to real-time data on thousands of production companies and their deal-making history.
