Maximising the UK Film & TV Tax Credit for Producers
📆 Friday 21st August
🕑 2.00pm – 5.00pm (followed by networking reception)
đź“ŤIn person, Film City Glasgow
For many independent production companies, tax incentives are no longer simply an accounting consideration, they are a critical part of the financing strategy that can determine whether a project gets made.
With increasing pressure on production budgets, changes in commissioning, growing international competition and the introduction of the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), producers need a clear understanding of how the UK's screen incentives can support business growth, improve cashflow and strengthen project financing.
Designed specifically for Scotland's independent film, television and animation sector, this FOCUS event is a refresher for all producers working in scripted & unscripted, bringing together expert tax credit advice alongside real-world producer experience to explore the practical realities of accessing & maximising the UK's screen tax incentives.
The session will begin with an expert overview from Isla MacGillivray, Head of Film, TV & Games at Saffery, covering the latest developments in AVEC, eligibility requirements, qualifying expenditure, common pitfalls, and practical considerations when preparing claims.
Following Isla’s presentation, a panel of experienced producers, Gillian Berrie (Sigma Films), Mike Ellen (Freedom Scripted), Ken Anderson (TG Entertainment) and more TBA will share practical insights into how they finance projects in today's market, including the role of AVEC, co-productions, broadcaster investment, international partnerships, and business growth strategies.
The session will cover:
• How AVEC works in practice and who can claim
• Maximising eligible expenditure and avoiding common mistakes
• Cashflow and financing considerations
• Co-production and co-financing opportunities
• How tax incentives fit into broader funding and investment strategies
• Future opportunities and challenges for Scottish production companies
Event timings:
13:45 Arrive
14:00 Event begins
Introductions; presentation from Isla MacGillivray (Saffery)
15:00 - 16:45 Panel discussion & questions
17:00 Networking reception
18:30 Event ends
Spaces are available on a first come first served basis so we strongly encourage you to register for your free space as early as possible.
meet the speakers:
Isla MacGillivray
Isla is a Partner and Head of the Film, TV and Video Games Team at Saffery and has worked within the creative industry sector for over 10 years.
Isla provides a range of services in relation to the UK Creative Industry tax reliefs and expenditure credits, including; advising producers on how to access UK creative industry tax incentives; advising on British cultural test qualification and attaining co-production status for films, TV programmes and video games; advising on multi-territorial production structures and financing arrangements; evaluating budgeted production expenditure for qualification of tax relief and/or expenditure credits, providing opinion letters for financiers and assisting clients with statutory audits, accounts and tax compliance.
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. Saffery LLP is a UK audit, accounting and tax practice that operates throughout the UK and Ireland.
Gillian Berrie
Together with David Mackenzie, Berrie made several award-winning shorts before producing their critically acclaimed features including Outlaw King, Starred Up, Perfect Tense, You Instead, Hallam Foe, Last Great Wilderness and Relay. Period epic Outlaw King is the biggest ever feature film to shoot entirely in Scotland and premiered at TIFF for Netflix.
Berrie also produced Tetris, starring Taron Egerton, directed by Jon S. Baird, for Apple. Her most recent credits are Fuze starring Aaron Taylor Johnson and Theo James. She’s currently in post production on Lorna Tucker’s Bare starring Florence Hunt, Isla Fisher and Colin Firth.
Berrie received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of West of Scotland for her contribution to film, culture and the arts in 2014.
Mike Ellen
Mike Ellen (MD/ Creative Director of Freedom Scripted) has over 20 years' experience developing and producing TV drama, working for leading production companies and in commissioning for the BBC. He has established talent and commissioner relationships throughout the UK and in Europe.
Before founding Freedom Mike was Scripted Head of Development at Oscar winning Amy and Senna indie On The Corner and for Alex Rider and Safe House producers Eleventh Hour.
As a Development Executive at BBC Drama Mike was part of the team who developed green-lit BBC shows including Murder, Peaky Blinders, Case Histories, Wallander and Shetland. He also helped oversee Waterloo Road and went on to produce exactly 50 hours of River City.
At STV Mike script edited on Taggart, and Scottish BAFTA winning episodes of Rebus and High Times. He also developed green-lit show Fast Freddie for ITV.
Mike got his start in drama at World Productions thanks to legendary British producer Tony Garnett.
Ken Anderson
Ken Anderson is one of Scotland’s leading producers of children’s and family film and television, with more than 30 years’ experience developing internationally recognised screen entertainment. As founder and CEO of Red Kite Animation and TG Entertainment, his credits include The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, 64 Zoo Lane, Pablo the Little Red Fox and the animated feature Princess Emmy.
Widely recognised as one of the architects of Scotland’s modern animation industry, Ken combines production, entrepreneurship and industry leadership with a passion for developing world-class talent, internationally competitive intellectual property and sustainable creative businesses. His ambition is to help establish Scotland as one of Europe’s leading centres for animated and family feature film production.
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:
Accessibility:
If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the FOCUS team in advance: hello@filmcityfutures.com
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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.