How to Pitch to Film Investors & Demystifying Film Finance, SEIS, EIS, Tax Credits, Recoupment & SPV's on your indie films with Tony Cook, Zak Fenning & Giles Alderson

We are taking a break from the creative side this week to get straight into the hard reality of the industry: the money. If you want to make films, you need to understand how the numbers work. I’m joined in my hotel room in Bulgaria by Tony Cook and Zak Fanning to completely demystify the business of independent film finance.

Tony and Zak have just launched their new production banner, Cult Films, and they break down exactly how they are structuring the company, how they are actively pitching private investors and how they utilise UK tax credits to de-risk independent filmmaking.

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

Company Structure: Why Tony and Zak chose to establish a parent production company (Cult Films) that manages individual Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for each film, rather than relying on one messy, overarching entity.

SEIS and EIS Explained: A rigorous breakdown of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)—and exactly how these government initiatives offer massive tax relief to private investors willing to back your film.

The Power of the AVEC: How the newly reformed Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) allows filmmakers to claim back a significant percentage of their UK spend, and why understanding this is crucial to cashflowing your indie.

The Recoupment Waterfall: The stark reality of the ROI. We break down the exact percentages and the strict order in which investors, the production company, and the creative team actually see their money back (or don't) after a sale.

The BFI Network Reality: A candid conversation on public funding, the complexities of BFI applications, and the importance of remembering that public money should be seen as a stepping stone rather than a complete financial strategy.

PODCAST MERCH

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COURSES

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE at Cutting Room Info.

PATREON

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

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CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written, edited and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson

Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative

Theme Music by John J. Harvey

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