Reflecting on Two Inspiring Days at the Production Finance Market

Conversations about UK film tax relief with producers at Film London's Production Finance Market.

Sam Ampah and I have just spent two highly enjoyable days at the Production Finance Market (PFM), organised by Film London, and what an experience it’s been. It was great to reconnect with many clients and contacts as well as meet new faces and make fresh connections.

The PFM is Film London’s annual two-day event, run in association with the BFI London Film Festival and was held on October 7–8 in central London. The Market is supported by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Mayor of London, and the BFI’s UK Focus Fund (National Lottery Funding),

Now in its 18th year, the PFM has become a cornerstone of the UK film industry, helping to create long-term partnerships, attract investment, and connect producers with financiers and professional advisors.

The event brought together around 60 producers pitching their projects to financiers and studios providing a dynamic platform for creative and commercial collaboration. With its unique ‘speed-dating’ style meeting format, producers have around 20 minutes per pitch to capture a financier’s interest, or gather the essential professional advice they need, before moving to the next making for a fast-paced setup that optimises the number of meetings and opportunities.

A particular highlight was the opening conversation between Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London, and Will Clarke, Founder and Co-CEO of Altitude Media Group. Key takeaways from their discussion included:

• British audiences have an enduring appetite for British films.
• Audiences still love classic cinema.
• Be guided by the market, not led by it.
• There’s a shortage of quality British comedies, partly due to a lack of standout TV shows.
• The horror genre continues to offer major opportunities for filmmakers.
• P&A costs are falling thanks to the impact of social media.
• Streamers are commissioning fewer factual documentaries.

The overriding message is that the UK remains an attractive location for production companies.  In our role as business advisors to the media sector, attendees at the PFM were keen ask us about the UK tax incentives available and how we can help them claim valuable tax relief on their projects.

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