Many Hedge Funds, including New York’s Elliott Associates, are seeing premium returns from investing in film and media. While historically, film financing has been met with skepticism from portfolio managers, private equity groups, high net worth investors, family offices, and pension funds, the returns that Elliott Associates is generating as well as Honeywell Pensions, which reportedly parked more than $600 million to finance a slate of Warner Brothers’ films is opening the door to a Chicago company’s structure for being the next in a wave of attracting both institutional and retail capital. "As a non correlated asset class, films and film finance has outperformed every non correlated asset class in the world", states Yuri Rutman, head of media finance and consulting firm Noci Pictures ( www.noci.com ). "If you look at the more than $6 billion dollars poured into motion picture finance deals in the last 3 years, the IRR across the spectrum for both studios and independents are resilient to global economic declines in other industries." The Company is looking to bring on board an experienced hedge fund, private equity, or alternative investment capital raiser to identify U.S. and international private equity partners in both institutional and retail sectors in closing a $300 million dollar structured media & entertainment fund that would not only finance 20-30 films, but have the infrastructure in place for U.S. Theatrical Distribution either with one of a few major film studios the company is ...
MoviePartners.com brings together producers, entrepreneurs, film investors, and screenwriters to develop higher-quality, more influential, and more profitable film and commercial projects. Over the last 15 years it has been its goal to become the filmmaker's information services hub. They are in the process of revitalizing themselves and, by extension, the filmmaking community at large. MoviePartners was founded in 1996 and created an award-winning filmmaker's entertainment services community. They now provide location scouting, film crew lists, talent directories, etc., to that community. Its aim is to solidify a resource pool for those in pre-production to final cut. The phrase “it's not what you know but who you know” is being rewritten here. MoviePartners is now spreading its influence in the commercial development arena with innovative, less expensive approaches to quality filmmaking. Through the cooperation of its supporters, vendors, and founding members alike, they are setting new industry standards for high-quality production and low production cost. From the earliest days of the Internet, MoviePartners assembled the contacts, experiences, and resources necessary to help its members succeed. Today will be nothing short of relentless towards completion of your specific project needs, start to finish. In 2008, they redesigned and rebuilt the entire technology infrastructure of MoviePartners to better accommodate filmmakers and investors alike. They now offer services for the 21st Century, making it even easier to access and use the information they provide. They have a comprehensive refresh plan for all of their sites in the upcoming ...
Some hedge fund managers watch Oscar ceremonies with great interest to see their funded films among the winners. Several Oscar nominees, including hits such as “The Pursuit of Happyness”, “Blood Diamond” and “Borat,” were partially financed by hedge funds, loosely regulated pools of capital that are restricted to institutional investors and wealthy individuals. Wall Street’s fascination with film financing has grown in recent years, with several private investment firms making agreements with major studios to co-finance slates of movies over a period of years. With names like Relativity Media and Virtual Studios, these firms do not have the cachet or name recognition of the big studios. They certainly will not be sauntering up to the podium and thanking their agent should their films get an award. Even so, a win at the Oscars could be rewarding. Relativity Media helped finance “Happyness,” whose lead actor, Will Smith, is up for Best Actor. An affiliate of Dune Capital Management, a hedge-fund firm once controlled by financier George Soros, kicked in money for “Borat,” the guerilla comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen that is a nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay. And Virtual Studios, which is backed by the hedge fund Stark Investments, has invested in “Blood Diamond,” which is up for five awards, as well as the disaster-film flop “Poseidon,” which garnered a nomination for best visual effects. This list reflects the growing ties between Hollywood and hedge funds and private equity firms, which have invested billions in movies ...
Movies that Matter, an initiative of Amnesty International, wants to open people’s eyes to human rights through film. Movies that Matter has a strong international focus, resulting in a growing number of international activities. It promotes human rights film screenings worldwide, offers advice and assistance and stimulates the exchange of knowledge and experience. It stresses the use of the power of film to promote the observance of human rights a social change. Apply for Funding Movies that Matter offers modest monetary assistance to initiate human rights film festivals and to help circulate and exhibit human rights films in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Advise, Assistance & Echange Do you want to organise a film festival or host a screening, but you don’t know where to start? Do you need more information on what films to choose for your project or how to clear the rights? If yes you can refer to Movies that Matter (www.moviesthatmatter.nl) Source- http://www.moviesthatmatter.nl/mtm/site/internationaal.vm?gclid=CK3_7OGgnqcCFYEOfAodDz8udA
Green Light Film Funding take pride on honesty and their ability to structure unique funding solutions that are not available in the traditional lending arena. The Funding Options, like those of any other industry, have changed drastically within the last 12 months. However, with GLFF’s combined 34 years of experience they know how to structure these difficult deals in today’s always changing environment. Whether your film has most or none of the funding required this fund can provide solutions that exist outside the traditional sources. Fund’s investors realize the potential of funding films and that your film may be the next "Juno","Garden State" or "Passion Of The Christ". At Green Light Film Funding they eat, sleep and drink film financing. Whether you are a film maker or potential investor we look forward to sharing your vision and working together with you and your team in the near future. You can submit film projects for funding consideration. GLFF offers some incentives for film producers and various opportunities for investors to finance films Source- http://www.greenlightfilmfunding.com/
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. Who they are and what they do The UK Film Council was created in 2000 and is the Government-backed lead agency for film delivery in the UK; Since its creation the UK Film Council has been the cornerstone of the British film industry and the funder of most of the big cultural film initiatives – backed more than 900 films, shorts and features, entertained more than 200 million people and helped to generate approximately £700 million at the box-office worldwide. For every £1 of Lottery money it has invested, £5 has been generated at the box office, allowing them to reinvest that recoupment straight back into new British films; Tim Bevan, co-founder and co-chairman of Working Title Films, is its Chairman, Tim Cagney is Managing Director; The UK Film Council currently employs 73 people across film development and production, inward investment, certification, co-production, film exports, statistics, distribution and exhibition, MEDIA Desk UK, industry relations, film partnerships across the UK, etc; Film Council funds and works with a number of different partners across the UK – including the regional and national screen agencies, the BFI, Skillset, First Light and FILMCLUB; Their goal is to help make the UK a global centre for ...
Film Finances was founded in 1950 for the purpose of giving guarantees of completion to financiers of motion pictures. At the time, producers of motion pictures were finding it increasingly difficult to borrow money from banks because the producers could not show how budget overages, if any, could be met. The original founders of the company were film producers who had learned that mortgaging all they owned against potential budget overages was not a sound proposition. Film Finances was therefore formed to provide financiers with a service that gave them the assurance that the film would be delivered on time and that the over budget costs would not be the financier's responsibility. FFI has given completion guarantees to all the leading banks involved in the entertainment industry, as well as all the major studios and distributors of motion pictures. FFI has now guaranteed the completion and delivery of approximately 6,000 Feature Films, Television Series, Movies of the Week, Films on Tape, Documentaries and CD-ROM Productions shot in all parts of the world. Production Evaluation As soon as an inquiry is made for them to issue a guarantee, they request the script, the shooting schedule and the budget.They prefer that all three documents have already been approved by the financiers and distributors of the picture. Documents are carefully examined to be sure on feasibility. When a positive decision is made, a "letter of intent" is issued by them confirming that they are prepared ...
FBT Film & Entertainment is owned by FBT Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of First Bank and Trust and a subsidiary of First Trust Corporation since 2001. As a bank affiliate it offers a complete choice of banking relationship products. In addition it offers a range of broker services including investments, insurance, business advisory, and venture capital. The unique ability to integrate these services for its film industry clients gives it an unmatched edge over any competitor. FBT Film started with the goal of increasing local community involvement with the film industry and the development of our industryhas been nothing short of remarkable. They are actively working to further expand the local film industry while assisting the state of Louisiana in recruiting new film projects. It has also been instrumental in cultivating partnerships between out of state media production companies and local firms to make the best use of available resources. They take special pride in seeing Louisiana businesses grow and prosper as a result. It works with the Louisiana Film Commissioner's office, statewide local municipalities, film liaisons and the UNO Foundation's Nims Studio to fully utilize the production capacity and studio facilities. Its Los Angeles staff has extensive experience in the entertainment industry and fully understands the process of organizing, financing, and working within the Louisiana production process. FBT Film also proudly supports A Child's Wish of Louisiana, a local organization which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Source- http://www.fbtfilm.com
As a new financiers to the movie industry, Hedge Funds are attracted by the potential returns on diverse portfolios of movies especially from DVD sales. Given, Hollywood has a bad reputation for parting star-struck investors from their cash hedge fund managers will need to stay sharp and structure their investments carefully. Helen Avery reports. Film finance was often a high-risk/high-return investment proposition with a reputation for burning investors. Now, though, hedge fund managers are finding ways to mitigate risk and penetrate opaque film industry accounting practices Frank Yablans is the Warren Buffett of Hollywood. Former president of Paramount Pictures and former chairman of MGM, the 71-year-old has more than 300 films, including blockbusters such as The Godfather, Serpico, Paper Moon and Murder on the Orient Express. Back in the early 1970s when Paramount made the original version of The Longest Yard, Yablans remembers, third-party financing came from tax-shelter deals. Now Yablans is running his own film production and distribution company, Promenade Pictures. With investment advisory firm Bluebay Capital, Promenade is seeking finance from the most recent investor base to hit Tinseltown – hedge funds.This sophisticated investor base has invested an estimated $4 billion into Hollywood in the past three years in investment vehicles that, like Yablans’s operation, and are attempting to create a high-returning asset class with speculative investment in the film industry. In the past it has been a commonplace expectation that if you put money into Hollywood, you ...
If you want to benefit from the opportunity of taking your story idea to the big screen. Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has opened its third call-for-proposals under its International Film Fund (IFF) and is looking to co-invest in globally marketable films involving at least one Singapore partner. What's more, completed films could premiere globally at ScreenSingapore, the week-long international cinema event comprising a trade show, conferences, master classes, a film awards section as well as red carpet gala premieres. ScreenSingapore, hosted by MDA and organised by Singapore Airshow & Events Pte Ltd (SAe), is a platform for Asian content to be marketed to the world and for international films to be released in Asia. Mr Kenneth Tan, Director of Film, Animation and Publishing, MDA, said: "The IFF complements our co-production strategy aimed at growing Singapore-made content targeting global audiences. It facilitates collaboration among international creative talents, and the participation of Singapore's production and post-production facilities in international film productions. "Singapore currently has four official film co-production partner countries - namely Australia, Canada, China and New Zealand. We welcome filmmakers to work with us and our network of official co-production partnering countries through the IFF to realise their aspirations, and tell their stories to movie-goers around the world." Projects selected under the current round of IFF will be announced at the inaugural edition of ScreenSingapore from 5 to 12 June 2011. About the International Film Fund (IFF) The IFF was launched in 2009 to encourage ...
The Institute for International Film Financing ("IIFF") is an innovative, independent social-impact organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance. IIFF's one-of-a-kind mission is to prudently expand the scope and appeal of film financing in an economically sustainable manner, for the benefit of all stakeholders including the public at large. Established in 2003 by former investment banker Thomas Trenker, IIFF is incorporated in California as a not-for-profit, public-benefit corporation headquartered in San Francisco. IIFF remedies stifling inefficiencies in film financing and cultivates success in independent film by instituting a trusted platform for research, education, networking and collaboration at the nexus of film and finance. IIFF represents the interests —and addresses the challenges— of film entrepreneurs and investors alike, and serves the public benefit by reinvigorating independent film. Democratizing Film Financing Obtaining proper financing is the single most pervasive, yet most persistently overlooked, barrier to success in independent film. Even seasoned financiers and producers are often at a loss when it comes to effectively and successfully financing film. IIFF aims to create economic sustainability in film financing by enabling both filmmakers and financiers to consistently benefit from their interactions. IIFF brings film financing knowledge, skills and opportunities to a broad and diverse audience. This opens new financing channels for filmmakers, exposes investors to an expanded menu of choices, invigorates local filmmaking communities and grows regional economies in which they are embedded. The Best of Two Worlds IIFF fuses the best ...
Prescience is a unique, integrated media company focusing on film production, financing and international sales. Prescience aims to provide the most appropriate financing options to producers. These range from development funding and equity finance through to debt and P&A. Prescience has a specialist management team that spans media banking, corporate finance and the production, marketing, sales and distribution of quality commercial filmed entertainment. Prescience owns Metropolis International Sales Ltd and managed funds including the Aegis Film Fund. Prescience also has close links with the National Film and Television School and provides student sponsorship each year. http://www.presciencefilmfinance.co.uk/
How to Fund Your Film, the Film Finance Handbook, is the definitive source book for anyone looking to fund a film project - be it script, short, feature or documentary. It puts in one place for the first time details of over 1,000 funds and tax schemes in some 50 countries, alongside exhaustive and easy to understand explanations of all aspects of indie film financing, from microbudget shorts and docs to multi-million international co-productions. Over 40 experts from six continents have contributed to this exhaustive 480 page how-to and reference guide for filmmakers, producers, funders and advisers. The new edition features: • All forms of film finance explained in-depth, including new methods like crowdsourcing and web based micro-finance. • In depth international incentives (tax breaks and public money) covered for 50 countries (and dozens of states and regions), including the new UK, US federal and German tax incentives, written in collaboration with the legal experts in each country in language accessible for non lawyers. • Details of 1000 funding awards from over 300 bodies. • The internet as film studio; how to use the web for fund-raising, marketing and distribution. • Cutting budgets, a guide to microbudget and digital techniques. • Dozens of new case studies and interviews, including Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas (The Last Emperor), Jim Gilliam (Brave New Films) - who raised $300,000 via the web, Susan Buice and Arin Crumley, whose produced YouTube's first feature stream, Roy Disney, Gus van Sant, Nik Powell ...
Film financing is one of the most difficult and least understood challenges facing a producer and it is fraught with perils for the unwary. Many independent film producers find themselves caught in the problems. Given that most film producers do not want to use their personal assets to fund their films, the most important issue for many producers is how to finance their film project with other people’s money. The methods of financing film projects are as diverse as the film projects themselves, the most common ways being; “debt” (such as borrowing money); “equity” (such as selling membership interests); or a combination of both (such as a production support agreement). If the producer has a track record of successful film production, then additional sources such as “pre-sale” of film distribution rights or studio financing are available. And there are producers who merely package a project and assign the rights to another, better financed, production company. However, for most independent producers film financing is limited to debt and equity. The problem with financing a project with debt is that such agreements require the payment of a sum-certain, with interest, on or before a specific date. There is repayment difficulties. The other major source of funds, equity financing, is problematic because a securities offering memorandum and full disclosure is required under the securities laws and notice filings are required by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Violations of the SEC requirements and the ...
Templeheart provide funding for film producers and is a film production company engaged in movie production and film investment. They work with film producers, film production companies and film makers to find the best projects that will give significant returns on any film investment. Templeheart is also an independent research company and angel financier with a member community of high-net-worth individuals and angel investors who work together to help produce and finance feature films and West End musicals. They source, research and provide information to help match capital to impressive and dynamic film and theatre projects that attract industry renowned artists. Investments are possible in commercially viable film projects. Source- http://www.filmproductioninvestments.com
In Guernsey a new film fund launched by a local investment manager that is believed to be the first investment fund established there to specifically invest in film production, marketing and distribution. Confiance Fund Services Limited has worked closely with UK-based investment adviser High Fliers Film plc, and local law firm AO Hall as legal adviser, to launch Confiance Film Products PCC Limited, which will invest in both big budget and small budget movies. “Financing films is always a delicate balance between the various parties involved in making the film and bringing it successfully to its target audience. You need to work with people who understand the film industry and have the relevant experience,” said Richard Garrod, Director of Confiance Fund Services Limited. High Fliers plc has over 20 years' experience in the film distribution market in the UK, and a catalogue of films starring Richard Gere, Forest Whitaker, Samuel L. Jackson, Carey Mulligan, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Pierce Brosnan, Robert Carlyle, Claire Danes and Tommy Lee Jones. Ian Hunt, Managing Director of Confiance Fund Services Limited, said High Fliers’ experience had been combined with Confiance’s expertise to create a completely unique investment fund at a time when the large film studios are struggling to find film financing. “Confiance Film Products PCC Limited was developed to fit in with the needs of the film market. It also enables those investors looking for a different asset class with identifiable returns to invest into. The concept ...
Providence Films and Hamershlag Entertainment Ventures a private Investment Banking firm jointly invested $50 million to produce its slate of feature film and television projects. Hamershlag Entertainment Ventures (HEV) provided funding through a secured credit facility and will assist with obtaining avenues for distribution of the projects. The financing entity, HEV, is an investment banking firm whose central business holdings are in oil and hotels valued at over $300 million. The deal was completed between HEV Chief Executive Officer and majority holder, Mychal Jefferson III, and Providence Films attorney Igbo Obioha of Obioha and Associates. Providence Films is chaired by director/producer Xavier “X” Mitchell. Mitchell says, “Hamershlag has been resourcefully gracious to us in arranging and providing our financing”. Providence wishes to produce thought-provoking original content with an innovative edge and mass appeal Xavier “X” Mitchell is widely respected and extensively experienced in the entertainment industry for over 15 years developing, producing and directing music videos, commercials, film and television such as Laugh at LA. Jefferson feels pleased to work with X. The first film from the venture is “THE BELLE STARS FRIENDLY” Belle Stars Friendly tells the story about a group of prostitutes in urban Guatemala who came to organize a soccer team that went on to challenge one of the top private clubs in the country to what was billed as a ‘friendly’ contest. Providence Films has produced projects such as, Fathers of the Sport, Harlem Tigerman, Laugh at LA and Next Up. New ...
Adi Cohen’s- New York-based venture capitalist- plans to invest in Spanish production company Zip Films through his company GC Corporation and new outfit Regal Entertainment encountered problems out of financial disputes. American Israeli businessman Adi Cohen established the pan-European media company Regal Entertainment in November last year with the purpose of investing in the production, distribution and exhibition of Spanish and German language films. Despite Regal’s early claims about major stake acquiring intentions Zip Films now claims that no money ever materialized for either deal. “We had signed an agreement with the GC Corporation for them to take a 25% stake in our company at a price of $4.6m (€3.7m), with a guarantee of $22.4m (€18m) over five years to invest in three films a year, but we never saw a penny,” Zip Films producer and founder Jordi Rediu tells ScreenDaily. “Then again we saw no money with the proposed 75% stake in our company from Regal.” Cohen tells ScreenDaily in response: “After a prolonged period of due diligence and financial probe, we have decided to annul all agreements and discontinue our involvement with Zip Films due to financial irregularities. In accordance with the terms of the letter of intent we have fulfilled our initial responsibilities and obligations but opted to discontinue the partnership and sever all connections with Zip Films and its registered managers.” A venture capitalist with a background in high-risk, security high-tech stocks, Cohen serves as Regal’s chairman and administers its financial ...
Channel 4 has said it will increase the budget of its film-financing division, Film4, to £15m per annum for five years from 2011 The anouncement came on the first day of the London Film Festival Channel 4’s commitment follows the public outcry over the Government’s decision to abolish the UK Film Council, without any consultation, as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's contribution to the public sector efficiency drive. The new budget, effective from 2011 onwards, represents a 50% increase on Film4’s current spend on film development and financing, and a spokesman said it was central to the "creative renewal process" launched by Channel 4 earlier this year. David Abraham, chief executive of Channel 4, said: "Film4 has played a central role in supporting the British film industry and the current team, led by Tessa Ross, has an unrivalled track record of success in developing and supporting British film making." The London Film Festival’s opening gala film ‘Never Let Me Go’, starring Keira Knightley and directed by Mark Romanek, and the closing gala film, Danny Boyle’s ‘127 Hours’, are both Film4 films. Abraham said: "Film has a special and unique role in UK culture, promoting a wealth of extraordinary British talent from storytellers and producers, to directors and actors. I have been determined during the current process of creative renewal to ensure that it plays a commensurate part in Channel 4’s public service delivery." In its 10 years of existence, the Film ...
Investment in new UK film production hit £1.16 billion ($1.85 billion) in 2010, a record for the British film industry, new figures showed. Data from the UK Film Council showed that inward investment from international filmmakers, typically major Hollywood studios locating productions in Britain, reached £929 million, an increase of 15% over 2009. These films included Captain America: The First Avenger, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two and John Carter of Mars. Spending on domestic feature films in 2010 fell to £174 million, however, compared with £224 million the previous year. Box office takings in the UK and Ireland rose two percent from 2009 to £1.08 billion, with Toy Story 3 in the top slot with earnings of 74 million pounds, ahead of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One at 51 million. The Film Council did not provide admission figures. The market share of British films, including UK-US productions), hit 23% in 2010, up from 17% the year before. 3D films grossed £237 million last year, a 24% market share up from 16% in 2009. Tim Cagney, managing director of the UK Film Council, said the figures underlined the importance of the movie business to the British economy. The council is being abolished as part of government cuts aimed at reducing the budget deficit. "The figures ... show how difficult it is to raise finance for making independent British films and, with four of the top ...
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