Sargent-Disc and BAFTA: States of Independents Seminar

BAFTA States of Independents Seminar

Sargent-Disc is proud to be an Official Academy Supporter to BAFTA.

In May this year, we were particularly delighted to help develop the States of Independents seminar in partnership with BAFTA. It explored how changes to the US production finance and distribution landscape could offer increased prospects for UK films.  The high-calibre panel included film-makers Nigel Sinclair, Exclusive Media whose recent credits includeWoman In BlackandIdes of March; Grahame Broadbent, Blueprint Films and producer of the international hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, along with our colleagues Joseph Chianese and John Hadity of EP Financial Solutions. The BFI's Isabel Davis moderated the session.

Post apocalypse

The inspiring discussion took the audience through an overview of the US scene post the 2008 apocalyptic collapse of Lehman Brothers to a more settled and adjusted indie film finance scene.  The panel talked about new US industry players such as Cross Creek who provide equity finance, as well as the continuing importance of tax credits for the last 20-30% of finance.

VOD

They discussed the trend of the US VOD market to fill some of the finance gap created by reduced DVD sales revenues, following the success of cable and online platforms such as Comcast, Netflix and Love Film.   In addition the collapse of windows for independent film in the US was viewed as providing more flexible release choices and increased income generation opportunities.

Quality paramount

Although US production finance is becoming more readily available, the panel said that British projects will need quality scripts; concepts that travel and recognised talent attached, to have a chance of attracting investment. Development funding is difficult to access in the US and the panel encouraged producers to develop in the UK by accessing support from broadcasters, the BFI, other public film agencies and UK based companies and funds - and then consider the US for production finance.

Britishness is back

The good news is that Britishness is back as a brand in the US and that UK films are no longer relegated solely to art house theatres and audiences - look at the success of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Shame, The Kings Speech and Slumdog Millionaire!

Listen to the podcast

To fully benefit from Nigel, Graham, Joseph and John's experience and advice listen to the States of Independents Podcast