British Film Commission and Film France CNC sign Memorandum of Understanding

The British Film Commission and Film France CNC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the aim of recognising and enhancing the collaboration between the UK and French screen industries, as well as incentivising and promoting inward investment film and high-end TV production across the two territories.

The agreement was signed today at BFI Southbank, in the presence of French Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, UK Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant, as well CNC President Gaëtan Bruel, British Film Commission Chief Executive Adrian Wootton OBE, and BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts.

Inward investment film and High-end TV (HETV) production in both the UK and France continues to thrive. In the UK, the UK spend generated by inward investment film and HETV production during 2024 reached £4.7 billion.

Recent film and HETV productions that filmed or carried out VFX and post production work in both territories include:

The Amateur: Shot in UK (London), France (Paris, Marseille, Provence Studio), Turkey, Washington DC

Prime Target: shot in France (Paris, Marseille, Cassis, Provence Studio). Also shot in UK (Windsor, Cambridge, London, Kent)

Heads of State: shot in France (South of France, Victorine studio). VFX was carried out in France. Also shot in the UK, with some VFX and post carried out in the UK too. 

Damsel: shot in the UK, with both French and UK studios working on VFX and post

The Lord of the Rings, Rings of Power Season 2: shot in the UK, with VFX done in France, and some VFX and post in the UK

Today’s MoU between the British Film Commission and Film France CNC strengthens ties between UK and French screen industries. Both film commissions aim to foster a seamless, film-friendly service for inward investment film and HETV productions working across both territories. By working closely together to support productions, British Film Commission and Film France CNC seek to encourage greater economic, cultural and creative exchange between both countries.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Film France CNC with today’s partnership agreement, building on a long standing relationship with our friends across the Channel. Within a similar time zone and geographical neighbours, there’s an ease for productions working within this European production hub. Plus, our two countries have a depth of experience working together on major productions, including most recently The Amateur, Heads of State, Damsel and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2.

“Our aim with this MoU is to work more closely with the CNC to support a frictionless service for cross-territory productions, allowing both nations to harness the economic and creative potential of inward investment film and high-end TV production.”

The MoU builds on existing collaborations between the two countries’ film commissions. Earlier this year, the British Film Commission hosted a Marché de Cannes panel in partnership with Film-France CNC – Crossing Channels: Production and VFX in the UK and France. Case studies included French-UK VFX studio, The Yard (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power S2) and their recent opening of a new studio in the UK in addition to their two French offices; and The Amateur production, which filmed in both countries and did their post and VFX in the UK.

The MoU with Film France CNC is the latest agreement signed between the British Film Commission and European counterparts, adding to the positive impact such collaboration is having internationally, with partnership agreements already in place between the British Film Commission and Spain, Italy, Austria, Norway, Malta and the Netherlands.

The BFI and CNC also signed a separate Moving Image Co-operation Agreement at BFI Southbank this morning, to support closer collaboration between the two institutions to the benefit of the industries, culture and audiences in both countries.