Film debt financing. Our Strength. This method can be attractive as it aligns the interests of the investors with the success of the film. Film financing is the act of raising funds for the production costs of a film. Watch our virtual event: Where's the Money? The Realities of Film 13 Sources of Film Financing. and examples to enrich each chapter and contextualize the film financing landscape. Gap finance investors typically take a higher return, often in the 12% to 20% Established in January 2018, Media Finance Capital (MFC) provides debt financing and executive producing services worldwide for independent Film and TV productions. One important source of gap financing is the use of state tax credits for film production. In the past 7 years I have financed and produced 12 feature films. . These state tax credits come in two basic flavors: those that are assignable and those that aren’t. We are a senior-secured media lender providing credit financing to film, television and new media projects. How does debt financing work? In a debt Most external financing in film comes from commercial banks with specialized film finance branches, often located in Los Angeles (USA) or London (UK). production, during production or after production has been completed. Most independent films require a completion bond to secure a film’s financial package. These include refundable production tax credits from approved jurisdictions (with the majority in North America only), minimum guarantee agreements and/or broadcast When raising funding for your film or television project, the number one question to ask should be: What are you giving away in exchange for the equity? You can then help leverage financing up front because they are connected to equity investors. The assignable tax credits can be sold to third parties, and an entire industry has evolved around brokering these tax credits. Banks want to offset liability, and a bond company takes on that liability It is important that independent producers embarking on the film finance challenge develop a good solid understanding of which form or forms of film finance may be best suited for their particular project. Dedicated divisions focused on large studios and productions with budgets above $50 million. A loan that exceeds 10-15% of the film’s budget is called a supergap loan. Finance Platform for TV and Film. This is most often done through pre-selling projects currently in development (not pre-production, which cannot officially begin until funding is What is Debt Financing? Debt financing is a method by which a company receives capital by borrowing money from another party and agreeing to repay it at a later date, usually with interest. Film Finances. This method allows filmmakers to secure capital without diluting ownership stakes, as the capital is repaid with interest rather than through equity sharing. Production. All were financed by these two things. Nov 7, 2024, 04:04pm EST. This type of funding can come from various sources, including banks, private film investors , or financial institutions specializing in loans for film production. Negative pickup, slate financing, film debt financing, and other financing available. Banks want to offset liability, and a bond company takes on that liability Negative pickup, slate financing, film equity debt financing, and other financing available Get access to funding for your movie, film, or show series project from industry experts. The company is known for its expertise in managing risks associated with film production, ensuring that projects are Debt Financing is when you (the producer) put your production company in debt to pay for the film. We explore the different financing options available for filmmakers, with special focus on raising production capital. SEC and State regulatory compliance, including Form D filings. Survey of Film Financing Tools. The platform seamlessly and efficiently connects filmmakers with major banks, institutions, and investors who are keen to leverage the potential financial opportunities in Debt Financing. For aspiring producers and directors who need to learn film finance from the ground up, this revolutionary new book teaches the fundamentals, through the voices of more than 60 successful independent producers. The terms “debt financing” and “gap financing” sometimes get used interchangeably. 3 Types of Debt Financing for Filmmakers By understanding the various types of film financing, exploring incentives film grants and tax credits, and leveraging film festivals and networking opportunities, filmmakers can confidently navigate the world of film financing and ultimately achieve their creative vision. Financing a film in the film industry involves a variety of options, from equity Look into film financing options: Pre-sales, gap financing, and securing loans or The concept of a 'waterfall' represents a crucial component of film financing Navigating the world of film financing can be as thrilling as a blockbuster chase scene. How are films At StarNova Capital, our Film Financing service is tailored to turn cinematic visions into Film Independent's 2024 Fast Track participants Courtesy. Subscribe To Newsletters. THIS IS A BETA EXPERIENCE. by the financial investor in the film production process and the financial and operating policies of the investee. Some gap financiers who will only lend against the value of unsold foreign rights. BETA. Producers complete financing by securing a loan against unsold territories. Much of the literature in finance suggests that executives tend to seek safe projects, even when it is not optimal for their firm to do so (Smith and Stulz 1985; Demarzo and Duffie 1995; Ravid and Basuroy 2004). Top Film Financing Companies in Worldwide 1. Get Financed Today. The aim is to provide bespoke financing solutions while adhering to the time sensitive nature of independent production. Banks and other financial institutions offer loans to filmmakers. Let’s look at private types of funding first – as well Blue Fox Financing’s digital marketplace stands as the premier platform in film financing, Learn about film financing strategies, from personal savings to grants and equity. Debt financing in film production refers to the process of borrowing funds to cover various expenses associated with making a film. So what is gap financing for film? Gap financing in film refers to funding that fills the gap between the total production budget of a film and the amount of money that has been secured from other sources. Personal savings and investments, grants and foundations, crowdfunding, equity financing, co-production and international financing, tax incentives and rebates, pre-sales and distribution deals, and film financing companies are all viable funding strategies for Most external financing in film comes from commercial banks with specialized film finance branches, often located in Los Angeles (USA) or London (UK). Debt Financing: Producers borrow funds, often secured by the film’s projected earnings, and repay lenders from future revenue. There are a number of distinct sources of money for film financing, and every film uses some combination of these sources to finance the project. 32107 Lindero Canyon FilmHedge is a fin-tech platform for production finance. If it is not sufficient, the debt financier will recoup any shortfall first before the gap and equity financiers. When senior debt doesn’t cover the full cost of a production, gap financing is pursued to raise additional funds. The company is known for its expertise in managing risks associated with film production, ensuring that projects are Key Takeaways: Film financing is a challenging but essential aspect of the filmmaking process. Financing solutions for TV and Film productions with budgets less than $50M looking to cash flow Tax Credits, Pre-Sales, or Distribution Agreements. 35 percent of loans have used some form of intangible — including IP — asset as collateral. Ultimately, finding investors will be a tedious task, so stay focused on finding the right Instead, the company borrows money, which it will pay back on a set schedule, with an agreed upon interest rate. More From Forbes. Draft and prepare Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) documents and all applicable exhibits. By using debt financing, filmmakers can manage cash flow and potentially achieve higher returns IP has been widely used as collateral in US film debt finance. First, you must figure out how to fund your project, sort out how to structure your legal business entity, file the paperwork needed to bring it to life, and put legal agreements in place to minimize your risk—and then hire writers, directors, talent, and crew. Securing funding for a film project can be an arduous task for filmmakers, but there are many viable financing options available to pursue. Qualitative evidence comes We are interim production lenders and provide senior debt financing to film and television productions whose financial structures are complete and backed by strong collateral. Using a research and data-based approach, award-winning professor David Offenberg combines the wisdom of well-known and successful producers into one fun, Many films use bank financing for their senior debt, but some secure senior debt from individual contributors. Revenue Streams in Film Finance. This article discusses film financing with loans. Gap financing is a type of debt financing. Much of the financing for big-budget films is debt-based. A bond is basically an insurance policy that a producer takes to financiers, or by other means of debt financing, will almost always require a bond before any funds are released. Debt financing options include loans, lines of credit, and bonds. Securing film financing is a complex process. Banks. Bu Film financing is the act of raising funds for the production costs of a film. They are often used Quick find. Securing funding for a film project can be an arduous task Equity financing remains a cornerstone in film financing. Financing is the most crucial aspect of any film project because the production team needs funding to pay for every step of the filmmaking process. Independent producers and smaller production companies typically seek to finance one film at a Gap and Super Gap financing is a form of mezzanine debt financing where a producer wishes to complete their financing by securing a loan against unsold territories. 2023), we map out the debt-financing landscape in the US and identify the most common types of financial deals in the movie industry, including innovative devices to mitigate and transfer risk between lending parties and the impact of digitisation on current film financing practices. Secure up to $20M per project. By at least the early 1990’s, product placement was ubiquitous enough to become a running gag Film financing 101. Such production cost could include without limitation script writing, editing, production set, casting, and cinematography. Lenders, usually a private bank, will charge interest and a facility fee and expect Instead, the company borrows money, which it will pay back on a set schedule, with an agreed upon interest rate. To finance feature films, you need Debt + Equity. This article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of lender and investor financing, also known as debt versus equity. First, equity investment may come from outsiders funding the film company or in exchange for financial participation in the particular film. OPT-OUT HERE. Co-production, loan syndication with Colorado’s film program). e. In parallel with our full service production company, Rainmaker Films, we provide equity and debt financing all across the capital stack for top tier film and television projects. Debt Financing, Lenders, and Control. Minimum Guarantees), tax credits and tax rebates, negative pick-ups, etc. Debt Financing. Advise on Rule 504, 505, and 506 offerings. It’s Securing funding for a film project can be an arduous task for filmmakers, but There are three basic types of film funding, equity and debt. Start Here; Investors expect a return on their investment, usually once the film starts making a profit. Taking out a loan to finance your film involves borrowing a sum of money (the amount you need to produce the film) from an individual, a lending institution such as a bank, or other specialized film financing institution that may act as a completion bond guarantor. What sets our Rainmaker Film Group apart from other film investment groups? Our underwriting group includes bondable producers with over 25 years of experience The Indian film industry has witnessed a remarkable journey over the decades, evolving from a nascent, struggling entity Introduction The Indian film industry has witnessed a remarkable journey over the decades, evolving from a nascent, struggling entity to one of the largest film industries globally. How does debt financing work? In a debt financing, a company borrows money that it must pay back, according to the terms of their agreement. Revenue streams in film finance refer to the various ways in which a film can generate income. Find Film And TV Financing That’s Right For You Now. In the movie industry world of heavily skewed returns and revolving doors for executives (De Vany and Walls 1996; Weinstein 1998), such concerns are of Debt financing refers to borrowing money to finance a film, with the promise of repaying the loan plus interest. In motion pictures, gap and super gap financing is a form of mezzanine debt financing where the producer wishes to complete their film finance package by securing a loan that is secured against the film's unsold territories and rights. Pre-Sales : The film’s distribution rights are sold to distributors before production begins, providing upfront funding to help finance the project. Film financing is the process of securing funds for a film, and we will cover all the One of the most common film financing techniques for independent films is No matter how great your feature film idea is, without proper funding it’s just an Debt Financing means borrowing money to fund the film. Discover how to navigate this landscape to bring your vision to life. Another key source is debt financing which involves borrowing money to fund production. CONTACT. The most common types of financial deals. Samuel Marshall Productions provides equity finance for Film and TV Tap into the $177 billion TV and film financing industry. With credit financing for film, television and new media projects, we provide loans, or an “advance”, which is secured by defined and unencumbered collateral, such as pre-sales agreements (i. Flush with a new $150 million co-financing pact struck with Brit-based Ingenious Media — which will cover 50 percent of equity investments in AGC titles, along with additional debt financing Join EP's production and finance experts John Hadity (EVP, Incentives Group) and Alexis Alexanian (VP, Business Development), for a panel discussion on Equity Financing featuring award-winning screenwriter and producer James Schamus, and former studio executive and producer Michael Helfant. Independent producers and smaller production companies typically seek to finance one film at a With the exclusive backing of Dorfman Media Holdings, MFC is uniquely positioned to act as a nimble debt financing partner for independent productions. EXCLUSIVE: Film Product placement to finance movies may not be your first choice, but it remains one of the most lucrative ways finance films. It’s a loan that needs repaying, often Debt financing companies provide loans to filmmakers for their productions, Financing solutions for TV and Film productions with budgets less than $50M looking to cash What can you use film funding for? Ways to secure film funding. It can be a lot to manage, especially if you are new to the process. Second in line: Gap finance investors. As the book progresses, equity, debt, revenue Together these industry experts will explore working with agents, how to estimate the value of your project on a global scale and leverage this to raise financing, how to approach selling distribution rights and the pros and cons to selling upfront or to multiple distributors, and how senior debt (or gap financing) can factor in completing your Securing funding for a film project can be an arduous task for filmmakers, but there are many viable financing options available to pursue. Gap financing is a form of mezzanine debt financing. The bank or other lender does not participate in any profits from the film except to the extent they are used in the end to pay back the principal and the interest. Securing funding for a film project can be an arduous task In debt financing, the producer is obligated to pay back both the principle and interest regardless of whether the film makes money. These ‘passive investor’ arrangement can be structured using either legal entities or contractual arrangements. These can include box office sales, DVD and Blu-ray sales, streaming and digital downloads, licensing fees for television and international distribution, merchandise sales and many others. Central to this transformation has been the revolution in film financing. MFC’s management team spans a wealth of experience in: In a recent study (Cuntz et al. In a legal entity structure, the film company and the financial investor fund their respective ownership percentages VOD distribution of films has turned film financing upside down, particularly by making the bet all or nothing: You either sell your film for a fixed profit to a VOD company (before or after Most independent films require a completion bond to secure a film’s financial package. Capital Corp Merchant Banking. Although debt financing can be used by individuals (think mortgages or auto loans), it’s a term particularly associated with business lending. Debt financing refers to the process of raising funds for a project, such as a film production, through borrowing money that must be repaid over time, typically with interest. In exchange for immediate capital, investors receive a share of a film’s profits. “Film festivals have of course had their own financial issues and have to programme a certain number of highly anticipated releases but I also hope that they return to becoming places for Represent producers, production companies, and financiers raising equity or debt financing in connection with film, television, and digital content. Debt Financing / Gap / Supergap Financing: Senior debt financing in the form of a loan against the film’s unsold territories. Overview: Film Finances is a leading completion bond company that provides guarantees to financiers and investors that films will be completed on time and within budget. top of page. Just like the simple structure, the debt financier makes a loan available to the production company for the production costs of the film Blue Fox Financing is a cutting-edge digital marketplace that has revolutionized the way film debt and gap finance opportunities are accessed in the entertainment industry. Our Expertise. This method allows filmmakers to secure necessary capital without giving up equity in their project or company.