FOCUS Business Lab: Legal and Business Affairs

Apply now for our business lab, focussed on the essentials of legals for producers

We are proud to announce the return of our FOCUS Business Labs, beginning with a two-day Legal & Business Affairs Lab taking place on 6th & 7th November in person in Glasgow. The lab is designed to give Scottish indies, across both Scripted and Unscripted genres, the tools they need to navigate the complex world of media law. 

Across the two focused days, participants will gain practical insights from leading legal experts on everything from rights clearance and talent agreements to investment structures, co-production deals, and distribution contracts.

The lab is aimed at emerging & established Scottish indies with some experience in handling legal issues during company set-up, development, production, distribution, and other areas of content creation.

The Lab will cover the following topics:

• Creative legal essentials

• Budgeting for legal services

• Development, IP, and ATL agreements

• Sales and distribution agreements

• Investment and funding agreements

• Negotiation and deal-making

• Business Affairs insight from key funders 

• Case study – Financial / Legal Closing

confirmed speakers so far:

• Jenny Parker - Level Law

• Sara Vandore-Mackay - Reviewed & Cleared

• Lynn Richmond - BTO Solicitors

• Jen Paton - BTO Solicitors

• Damian McParland - Lee & Thompson

• Michael Maquieira - Lee & Thompson

• Business Affairs representatives from Screen Scotland

• Business Affairs representatives from BBC Scotland

• Arabella Page Croft (Black Camel Pictures)

• Elspeth O’Hare & Jennifer Gilroy (F22 Films)

• Plus other speakers TBC

This is a unique opportunity to build confidence in legal decision-making, understand when and how to engage legal expertise, and gain clarity on the specific types of legal support your company and projects may require. You will hear directly from practitioners who work across film and TV, while applying and strengthening that knowledge directly to your business context. 

Participation fee: £100

Spaces are limited, and early applications are encouraged.

Key Dates:

Application deadline: Friday 24 October, 5pm

Notification of successful applicants: Monday 27 October

Invoices issued: Wednesday 29 October

Payment due: (before) Tuesday 4 November

HOW TO APPLY

Companies must complete a short application form at the link below. The deadline for applications is Friday 24 October at 5pm.

Please also complete a short equal opportunities monitoring form.

For any questions regarding the business lab or if you need this information in a different format for accessibility reasons, please email events@filmcityfutures.com

An audience with John McVay, Pact

FOCUS On: An Audience with John McVay, Pact

book now for an insightful evening with John McVay, DEPARTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PACT, INTRODUCED BY CLAIRE MUNDELL AND CHAIRED BY JEN TOPPING.

📆 Wednesday 22nd October 2025, 5.30 - 6.30pm

📍 The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ

Join us for an insightful evening with John McVay, the driving force behind the growth of the UK independent production sector from a niche cottage industry into a £3.6 billion powerhouse—thanks to his championing of IP rights, tax incentives, and pioneering Covid-era support schemes.

The session will be  introduced by Claire Mundell, founder of Synchronicity Films and Pact Council National Representative for Scotland, and chaired by Jen Topping, FOCUS consultant.

John McVay, Chief Executive of Pact, recently announced he will be leaving the organisation after nearly 25 years at its helm. John started his media career in Scotland and across his career he has worked with countless indies and producers across the country. 

This is an exclusive event organised by FOCUS inviting you to hear from John and his insights for Scotland-based producers after a career at Pact. There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A for you to ask John any questions.

The event itself will last approximately 1hr 15 minutes, including Q&A, followed by networking and drinks.

We anticipate this event will be well attended so we encourage you to book early when registrations open on Monday 30th September. Tickets will be free, but since spaces are limited, Scottish indies and producers will be prioritised for spaces. If you can no longer attend this event please contact us immediately so that we can release your ticket.

About the speakers:

John McVay OBE is the Chief Executive of Pact, the UK’s leading Trade Association for Film, TV, Animation, Children’s and Digital production companies.  John contributes to many UK government and international policy fora on the creative industries, broadcasting, trade and investment.  John has extensive experience of policy development across all aspects of broadcasting and television production and leads on all Pact policy development in the UK and Europe.  He also maintains excellent relationships with all of the UK’s major political parties and the devolved assemblies and parliaments.  John is currently; a Board member of the Creative Diversity Network, a member of the Creative Industries Council (CIC), an industry advisor to the AHRC Creative Industries programme, Industry board member of the British Film Commission and a board member of the Creative Cities Convention.  

Claire Mundell is an award-winning Founder and CEO of Synchronicity Films, a scripted and feature film production company. Claire’s most recent production is THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ, a double Emmy nominated, 6-part premium limited series adaptation of the Sunday Times and New York Times Bestseller for Sky Atlantic, Peacock, Stan, All3Media International and NBCU, which aired in the UK, US, Australia, and many other territories globally. Two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve composed the score for the series, and the series features an original song by Barbra Streisand – “Love Will Survive”.

In 2023, Claire won a BAFTA for Best Scripted at the BAFTA Scotland 2023 Awards for Synchronicity’s adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s acclaimed novel MAYFLIES, which Claire executive produced for BBC One. 

With Synchronicity, Claire has established a scripted indie with a reputation for critically acclaimed IP. Other company credits include the BAFTA and RTS-winning BBC One/ABC series THE CRY, a psychological thriller starring Jenna Coleman. Other current projects include Graeme Armstrong’s blistering debut, THE YOUNG TEAM. Films include the BIFA-winning and BAFTA-nominated ONLY YOU by Harry Wootliff, Andrew Haigh’s celebrated WEEKEND, and Karen Gillan’s directorial debut feature THE PARTY’S JUST BEGINNING.

Jen Topping is a consultant working with production companies, broadcasters, arts organisations and creators to help them grow their businesses in this age of tech disruption. Her clients have included 100+ independent TV, film and content production companies; Channel 4’s Emerging Indie Fund; as well as organisations such as the Booker Prizes, STV News and Beano Studios. Over 3,000 industry professionals subscribe to her weekly newsletter businessoftv.substack.com, which covers the TV and media trends producers need to know so they can plan for the future. Previously, she worked at the Microsoft studio making interactive TV for Xbox and was at Channel 4 for seven years working across 4oD, multiplatform TV shows, channel4.com, YouTube and social. She started her career as a BBC news trainee. She has an MBA and a professional certificate in executive coaching from Henley Business School. She was vice chair of BIMA, the trade body for the British digital industry.

General Information:

Accessibility:

The theatre venue at the social hub has step free access and is wheelchair accessible. The area for networking drinks after the talk is on the first floor and is accessible via the lift or stairs. Accessible toilets are available on both floors. If you have any further accessibility requirements, please contact the FOCUS team in advance: hello@filmcityfutures.com

Privacy policy:

By booking this event you consent to FOCUS & Film City Futures storing your contact details. Please note: we will only ever contact you via email regarding FOCUS events and will not share your confidential information with any external third parties.

Photography notice:

Please be aware that we may take photographs and videos at this event. By attending and/ or participating in this event, you agree for us to photograph and/ or video record you and to use such images and recordings on our website, social media and other platforms as required.

COVID-19 statement:

Please do not attend in-person events if you, or anyone in your household, has had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the past five days prior to the event.

If you have any access requirements for attending this event, please contact us: hello@filmcityfutures.com

FOCUS On: Branded content

FOCUS On: branded content

Join FOCUS and a panel of industry experts to gain an insight into the world of creating branded content.

📆 Thursday 14th August, 12:45 - 14:00 (please arrive from 12:30pm)

📍 Channel 4, 10 Montrose St, Glasgow G1 1RE

(REMOTE streaming via Zoom video conferencing available - please register on Eventbrite)

Teas & coffees will be provided on arrival.

Join FOCUS for an in-depth panel discussion about branded content. Geared towards Scotland-based independent production companies, this event will cover the key aspects of branded content to help you grow your business, including:

●  Using branded content to diversify your revenue streams beyond traditional commissioning models and expand audience engagement.

●  How to tell stories for brands.

●  How to approach brands, package ideas, structure deals and control IP.

●  How broadcasters and streamers work with brands.

●  Examining case studies, from small digital pieces to full-length docuseries.

There will be time for attendees to ask questions in a brief Q&A section.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Jude Lightbody

An experienced Freelance director and creative director, Jude specialises in directing and producing commercials, branded content and promos, working internationally with global brands. As former Whisper Create’s Creative Director, Jude oversaw output across all Create productions. Working alongside the acting Global Head, Jude was responsible for conceptualising and delivering creative concepts elevating style, vision and storytelling across pitches and productions.

Stu Thomson

Stu Thomson is founder of Cut Media; an award-winning creative sports agency working with the likes of Red Bull, Nike, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

A former professional athlete, Stu brings a unique perspective to storytelling-combining lived experience in sport with a deep belief in the power of creativity to connect. Under his direction, Cut Media has built a global reputation for content that goes beyond the polished surface, tapping into the raw, real, and human side of sport.

From viral YouTube hits to emotionally resonant campaigns, Cut Media's work has challenged convention, been at the heart of the branded entertainment evolution and put authenticity at the heart of brand storytelling.

Laura Marks

Laura Marks is Senior commissioning editor and Business Operations Lead, Digital at Channel 4 and works across Original and Branded Entertainment content. Laura previously acted as Nations and Regions Exec at the Channel, nurturing indies in the Digital, Entertainment and Comedy space.

Bhavit Chandrani

Bhav Chandrani is Director of BE Studio, from ITV, heading up sponsorship, AFE (ad funded entertainment), creative partnerships, social branded content and partnerships innovation for ITV's Commercial team.

With almost 25 years in the industry, Bhav's passion is in creatively bringing together the worlds of programming and advertising to make meaningful, entertaining campaigns for brands and viewers. Bhav leads ITV's commercial relationship with other media brands such as X, Global Radio and TikTok. Bhav is a founding member of the diversity network MeFA (Media For All) and Board Director of Metavision.

General Information:

Accessibility:

If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the FOCUS team in advance: hello@filmcityfutures.com

Privacy policy:

By booking this event you consent to FOCUS & Film City Futures storing your contact details. Please note: we will only ever contact you via email regarding FOCUS events and will not share your confidential information with any external third parties.

Photography notice:

Please be aware that we may take photographs and videos at this event. By attending and/ or participating in this event, you agree for us to photograph and/ or video record you and to use such images and recordings on our website, social media and other platforms as required.

COVID-19 statement:

Please do not attend in-person events if you, or anyone in your household, has had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the past five days prior to the event.

If you have any access requirements for attending this event, please contact us: hello@filmcityfutures.com

FOCUS On: Film Finance Structuring

FOCUS On: Film finance structuring

📆 Wednesday 25th June 12.30 - 1.45pm

📍 The Screening Room, Citizen M, 60 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3BW

Join FOCUS for an in-person event targeted at Scotland-based indies to enhance their knowledge of feature film finance structuring in the current market. Led by producer & EP Richard Mansell, this session will cover how to structure your film’s finance plan, including:

·       Securing and balancing multiple sources of funding (UK & international)

·       Managing risk for the investors and producers

·       An in-depth analysis of a real-life case study finance plan

There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A with Richard Mansell. Register your free place to help you as a producer to demystify the process of film financing and equip yourself with practical strategies.

About the speaker:

Richard Mansell is a producer and EP. He has been active in the film industry for over 20 years, ten of which were spent working for Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas. In that time he worked on films such as A Dangerous Method, Pina, Only Lovers Left Alive, Kon-Tiki, Shame, Wuthering Heights, and numerous others. For the last 13 years he has worked on his own projects, and on assisting other producers in structuring and closing the financing on their films. In this capacity he has worked for producers such as David Heyman, Duncan Kenworthy, Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin, Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, and Jon Kilik, amongst others. He is currently producing a rotoscoped version of Schubert’s Winterreise song cycle with Jason Isaacs and John Malkovich, has two projects in development with the BFI, and is producing/executive-producing several others. 

If you have any access requirements for attending this event, please contact us: hello@filmcityfutures.com

FOCUS On: Film Sales

FOCUS On: Film Sales: Demystifying the current market for indies

Wednesday 28th May, 1.00 - 2.00pm

Online, via Zoom

Join FOCUS on Wednesday 28th May for an informative and engaging session specifically created for independent production companies and producers. Led by Calum Gray, partner at Architect, we will cover the current film sales market, and discuss ways in which indies can approach getting their feature film financed. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions to Calum, an experienced sales agent. 

About the speaker:

Calum Gray is partner at Film Sales Agency Architect. He was previously Head of Sales at Embankment Films, Head of Sales at Celsius Entertainment, Director of Sales at Independent Films Sales and Head of Sales and Acquisitions at documentary specialist Mercury Media.

He has sold and pre-sold titles including double Academy Award winner The Father, The Son, Purple Hearts (#7 on Netflix's all time Most Watched films), The Wife, Military Wives, McQueen, Simon Chinn's Weinstein doc Untouchable, Oldboy, Moon, What We Did On Our Holiday, Starred Up, Gimme Danger, Metro Manila, Exit Through the Giftshop, We Need to Talk About Kevin and Safety Not Guaranteed.

Calum has lectured on film distribution for Creative Europe, NFTS, Film Wales, The European Documentary Network and Creative England. He is on the board of Film Wales.

Please note this event will be held online via Zoom. If you have any access requirements, please contact us: hello@filmcityfutures.com

BFI UKGSF Business Development strand information session

Join FOCUS and BFI’s Chris Filip for this information session for companies applying to the BFI UK Global Screen Fund Business development strand.

BFI UK Global Screen Fund International Business Development 

Thursday 3rd April, 1.00 - 2.00pm

In-person, at Film City Glasgow

401 Govan Rd

Glasgow

G51 2QJ

The UK Global Screen Fund is a £7M per year fund designed to boost international opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector across film, TV, animation and games. 

Attend this session to learn more about the International Business Development strand opening on the 3rd of April from Chris Filip, the Fund Manager. 

The session will be packed with insights into the fund itself, tips on the application process and success stories from previous awardees. 

Eligibility:

The session is aimed at producers and company founders in film, TV and video games who have at least one leading company credit on a feature film for theatrical and/or online distribution, series which was distributed on TV/AVOD/SVOD/online or interactive narrative video game in the past three years. Full details on eligibility will be explored during the session.

About the Speaker:

Chris Filip was appointed International Business Development Manager for the UK Global Screen Fund in October 2022, working to support UK screen content businesses across film, TV, animation and interactive narrative video games to enhance their international activities. Before joining the BFI, Chris worked with Creative England as Programme Manager for Creative Enterprise, managing the New Ideas Fund, and their games business support programmes - Foundations for Games and Games Scale Up - as part of their flagship business support and investment readiness programme, Creative Enterprise. Before realising that he could help people by putting together programmes, Chris was Game Designer and Product Manager at a variety of games and tech companies. Chris is a BAFTA Games member and in 2023 was selected as one of 50 emerging talents recognised for their contribution to the global games industry as The Games Awards 2023 Future Class.

Capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Chris has a handful of 1-2-1 slots available to book which are available on a first come first served basis. Please contact the FOCUS team if you wish to book a 1-2-1 slot with Chris directly following the event.

If you are planning to attend and have any access requirements, please contact the FOCUS team about this as soon as you can: hello@filmcityfutures.com

AVEC (Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit) Seminar 2025

AVEC (Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit) Seminar 2025

Wednesday 26th March, 2.30pm – 4.00pm

In-person, at Film City Glasgow, 401 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 2QJ

Join FOCUS for this seminar on Wednesday 26th March 2025 with Saffery to explore Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) and how it can be best utilised by indie companies. Andy Paterson and additional panellists will join after the presentation for a Q & A session.

The seminar will be delivered by Isla MacGillivray, Partner at Saffery LLP, and will provide an overview of the key characteristics of both standard AVEC and enhanced AVEC announced last year. Companies will be able to claim the enhanced AVEC from HMRC starting 1 April 2025, for costs incurred from 1 April 2024. 

Capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended. We suggest prioritising the most appropriate person from your team to attend initially, with additional places being allocated subject to availability.

About the speakers:

Isla MacGillivray is Head of Film and TV at Saffery.

Isla has worked within the creative industry sector for over 10 years. She provides specialist financial, accounting, audit and taxation advice to a range of clients in the sector.

Her client base includes film, television and video game production & distribution companies, commissioning producers and rights owners across a range of large US and UK studios to small budget independent producers as well as other corporate entities which operate in the film, TV and video games industries.

Isla is regularly invited to lecture and sit on expert panels at various industry events across the UK and internationally, including London, Edinburgh, Cannes and Los Angeles.

Andy Paterson's award-winning films include Girl With A Pearl Earring and The Railway Man. His first film, the cult Scottish classic, Restless Natives, was re-released in 2021 and is about to start a new life as a stage musical.  

 The Railway Man, based on Eric Lomax’s account of his experiences on the notorious Thai/Burma Death Railway in WW2, starred Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. Girl With A Pearl Earring, starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, was nominated for 10 BAFTAs and 3 Oscars.

Other productions include Tigers, the true story of a whistleblower who took on a major pharmaceuticals corporation, Hilary and Jackie, which won Oscar nominations for its stars, Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths and the Oscar-winning Restoration, starring Robert Downey Jr, Hugh Grant and Meg Ryan.

He launched the campaign for an enhanced tax credit for independent films in 2017 and was part of the Pact team which finally delivered the IFTC seven years later. In 2024 he co-founded Virtual Circle, a partnership with Dimension Studio and Vue Cinemas, to deliver ambitious British independent films for cinema audiences worldwide.

Capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended. We suggest prioritising the most appropriate person from your team to attend initially, with additional places being allocated subject to availability.

If you are planning to attend and have any access requirements, please contact the FOCUS team about this as soon as you can: hello@filmcityfutures.com

 

FOCUS Company Business Achievement Awards 2025

 On Friday 7th February 2025, Film City Futures & FOCUS held their inaugural Company Business Achievement Awards.

The night brought together a vibrant mix of independent production companies and producers across the film, TV and animation sectors, as well as commissioners, business consultants and other screen industry professionals, hosted by Lewis Macleod.

Congratulations to all the winners & nominees!

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2025 Winners

Best Breakthrough Company

WINNER: Specky Productions

Presented by: Rebecca Thompson (Channel 4)

Best Newcomer in a Specific Genre

WINNER: Bonnie and Braw Productions

Presented by: Mark Raeburn (Business Management Consultant)

Partnerships of the Year

WINNER: Hopscotch Films

Presented by: Jen Topping (Business Management Consultant)

Community Engagement and Impact Award

WINNER: The Portal Studios

Presented by: Lauren Lamarr (Blazing Griffin)

Excellence in Scripted Content - TV

WINNER: Black Camel Pictures

Presented by: Bill MacLeod (BBC ALBA)

Excellence in Scripted Content - Film

WINNER: Sylph Productions

Presented by: John Archer (Hopscotch Films)

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

WINNER: Randan

Presented by: Sarah Brown (STV Studios)

Excellence in Non-Scripted Content

WINNER: Hopscotch Films

Presented by: Mark Cousins (Director, Writer & Cinematographer)

Outstanding Visual Effects and Animation

WINNER: Wild Child Animation

Presented by: Claire Scally (TRC Media)

Excellence in Crossing Platforms & Genres

WINNER: Black Camel Pictures

Presented by: David Swetman (All3Media International)

Outstanding Regional Representation

WINNER: Specky Productions

Presented by: David Harron (BBC Scotland)

FOCUS Indie Achievement Award

WINNERS: Black Camel Pictures & Hopscotch Films (joint award)

Presented by: Gavin Smith (BBC Scotland)

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Images credit: Ross Gilmore

FOCUS is a project delivered by Film City Futures, supported by Creative Scotland in association with the Scottish Documentary Institute.

FOCUS supports independent micro-businesses and SMEs in Scotland’s screen sector – from emerging and new start-ups to established film, TV and animation companies – who require specialist advice in order to grow their business, but who do not have access to such support in-house. For screen companies, this is a rare opportunity to gain access to sought-after expertise in areas such as development, distribution, financing, legal, international co-production and business strategy.

Over 300 companies have accessed 100 free online webinar events for companies and producers across Scotland, the UK & internationally.