Film and TV

The UK’s film and TV sector is one of the most dynamic and internationally connected parts of the creative economy. From independent filmmakers and emerging creative talent to global production companies and charitable organisations, we help clients deliver impactful projects while navigating the legal, regulatory and commercial realities of the screen industry.

Our cross‑firm team brings deep experience across intellectual property, commercial and technology contracts, employment and immigration, and corporate governance. We understand the pressures of production timelines, funding models, community engagement, talent mobility and safeguarding creative assets. We help clients move confidently from development through to distribution. We also have deep experience in advising on charity and social purpose structures, for mission-led or community-focused projects.

How we can help
  • Community / mission-focused projects: we frequently advise on production projects that have a community / mission focus or a charitable element to their structure. For example, this can include:
    • Establishing an appropriate community / mission-focussed legal structure such as a community interest company and advising on related restrictions such as rules around CIC investment.
    • Advising on productions that include a charity partner, such as establishing joint venture vehicles and advising on appropriate charity law restrictions around private benefit and potential charity tax considerations.
    • Advice in relation to the receipt and provision of grant funding in connection with film and TV projects.
  • Intellectual Property: we advise our production clients on how to protect and utilise their intellectual property assets including copyright and trade marks. This includes trade mark searching and registration (both in the UK and worldwide) as well as IP licensing and assignments. Our Dispute Resolution & Litigation team can also assist where an IP dispute arises.
  • Commercial contracts: we draft and negotiate key agreements for production companies such as production services agreements, supplier and contractor terms, consultancy agreements, NDAs, sponsorship and partnership agreements, licensing arrangements, and website terms.
  • Technology and IT focused commercial agreements: we draft and negotiate software licensing agreements, SaaS arrangements, IT services contracts, outsourcing projects and broader technology procurement.
  • Commercial advisory and regulatory compliance: we advise on compliance with consumer law in respect of any digital content or services that UK production companies offer directly to consumers. We draft and advise on privacy policies and data processing provisions in contracts. We ensure compliance when handling personal data (e.g. contributors, cast and crew) as well as any competition law considerations relevant to production activities.
  • Corporate structure and governance advisory: we advise on appropriate forms of corporate vehicles to use and set up (such as joint venture or project-specific SPVs), including advising on and drafting appropriate joint venture shareholders’ agreements and articles of association addressing key issues around governance, voting rights, share interests, financial returns (such as dividends) and intentions around exit. Much of our experience in this space includes advising on cross-border projects, such as advisory around set up of UK subsidiaries and how to approach non-UK investor structures.
  • Talent status: we support around the engagement of workers and complying with UK employment and immigration laws.
Meet our team