Film London announce return of the Film London Production Finance Market 2024

Film London announce the return of the Film London Production Finance Market 2024 (PFM). Set to take place on 8^th & 9^th October, at The Thistle in London’s Marble Arch, applications are now open.

The 2023 edition of PFM saw 60 feature film projects presented with a total production value of around €172.66 million. The Market attracted over 190 attendees, facilitating 840 meetings from across the globe with delegates from 15 different countries. Now in its 18th year, the Production Finance Market 2024 will welcome attendees to make those all-important creative and business conversations face to face.

Various projects from the 2023 edition have already reported offers made and financiers boarded as a result of the PFM, and New Talent Strand project Grand Theft Hamlet premiered at SXSW this year and won the Grand Jury award for Best Documentary Feature. Other festival successes for recent New Talent Strand projects include: Tish (2021) opened Sheffield Doc/Fest last year, Last Swim (2020) premiered at Berlin this year and won the Generation 14+ Crystal Bear and Augure (2019) premiered at Cannes last year and won the New Voice Prize at Un Certain Regard.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “Independent films are an essential part of a balanced UK production ecosystem, providing the space to air fresh British voices, and it is an incredibly exciting time for independent cinema right now. The introduction of a new tax credit for films with budgets up to £15m is a game-changer for our whole sector, and Film London’s Production Finance Market is instrumental in connecting thousands of filmmakers and financiers to instigate introductions and secure finance for some truly great projects.

“Previous attendees have gone on to screen their work at festivals such as Cannes and SXSW, collecting various awards including the New Voice Prize at Un Certain Regard. We look forward to welcoming projects and financiers from across the globe again this year, enforcing London’s reputation as a centre for the global film and screen content business.”

Film London’s Production Finance Market is an annual two-day financing event for independent film held during the BFI London Film Festival. The market connects filmmakers and financiers from across the globe through one-to-one meetings as a way to navigate potential business partners and investment. The main strand accommodates feature film projects from established producers, including Animation, with budgets above €1m, while the New Talent strand specifically targets filmmakers on their first feature. Documentaries are also welcome to apply and films reflecting a range of diverse perspectives and stories are positively encouraged.

The 2024 edition will introduce a new partnership with Sinema Cymru – a collaboration between S4C and Creative Wales delivered by Ffilm Cymru Wales – and continue its international partnerships with EAVE, MIFF 37 South, The Netherlands Film Commission, Ontario Creates IFF@TIFF, Tallinn Black Nights and South Africa’s National Film & Video Foundation whilst also continuing to work with its Spanish and Italian industry colleagues and others across Europe.

The Market is supported by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Mayor of London, the National Lottery through the BFI, and takes place during the BFI London Film Festival. Applications for the PFM close on 8^th July 2024.