• Relief Rates:

  • Film and High-End TV Productions: Eligible for a taxable credit at a rate of 34%, equivalent to a net value of 25.5% after tax.

  • Children’s TV, Animated TV, and Animated Films: Eligible for a taxable credit at a rate of 39%, equivalent to a net value of 29.25% after tax.

• Qualifying Expenditure:

  • AVEC can be claimed on qualifying UK production expenditure up to the lower of 80% of total core expenditure or the actual UK core expenditure incurred.

  • A minimum of 10% of the production's core expenditure must be used or consumed in the UK.

• Eligibility Criteria:

  • Productions must be certified as culturally British by the British Film Institute (BFI).

  • The production company must be within the UK Corporation Tax net.

  • The production must be intended for theatrical release.

To further bolster independent filmmaking, the UK introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC), effective from April 1, 2025.

• Relief Rate:

  • Eligible films can claim a taxable credit at a rate of 53%, equivalent to a net value of 39.75% after tax.

• Budget Requirements:

  • Films with total core expenditure up to £23.5 million can qualify.

  • However, the IFTC can be claimed on up to £15 million of qualifying core expenditure.

• Eligibility Criteria:

  • Principal photography must commence on or after April 1, 2024.

  • The film must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Have a UK writer (national or resident).

    • Have a UK director (national or resident).

    • Be certified as an official UK co-production.

• Maximum Credit:

  • The maximum credit a film can receive is £6.36 million before tax.

  • After accounting for corporation tax, the maximum cash benefit is approximately £5.15 million.

In addition to benefiting from UK-wide tax reliefs, Scotland provides specific funding opportunities through Screen Scotland, the national body responsible for promoting the screen industries.

Production Growth Fund

Purpose: To attract large-scale film and TV productions to Scotland, creating employment opportunities, encouraging the use of Scottish production facilities, and delivering significant economic benefits.

Funding: Offers financial support to productions that commit to substantial expenditure within Scotland.

Eligibility: Open to feature films, high-end TV drama, and animation projects that can demonstrate a clear economic impact on the Scottish economy.

Compatibility: Can be combined with UK Film, High-End TV, and Animation Tax Reliefs.

Broadcast Content Fund

Purpose: Supports the development and production of broadcast content across all genres, aiming to grow sustainable businesses in Scotland.

Funding: Provides financial assistance to projects with strong market potential and the ability to reach audiences both domestically and internationally.

Eligibility: Available to Scottish-based production companies or those planning to establish a presence in Scotland.

Film Development and Production Fund

Purpose: Supports the development and production of feature films by filmmakers based in Scotland.

Funding: Offers financial assistance for script development, project development, and production.

Eligibility: Open to filmmakers with a demonstrable track record and projects that reflect Scottish culture, creativity, and diversity.

Northern Ireland provides a range of funding programs through Northern Ireland Screen, the national screen agency responsible for promoting the development of a sustainable film, animation, and television production industry.

Production Funding

Purpose: Assists in completing budgets for productions that are nearly fully financed, aiming to build a sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland.

Funding: Offered in the form of a recoupable loan with profit participation or, in limited circumstances, a grant.

Eligibility: Projects must have at least 65% of funding secured.

Must demonstrate a direct economic benefit to Northern Ireland.

Applicable to feature films, TV drama, animation, factual and entertainment TV, and interactive content.

Additional Support: Northern Ireland Screen also offers various funding programs across its economic, cultural, and educational activities, including development funding for scripted and non-scripted projects, development slates, and interactive content.

Creative Wales Production Funding

This discretionary scheme, delivered via the Economy Futures Fund, aims to position Wales as a premier destination for world-class content production.

• Eligibility Criteria:

  • Primary business activities in film (non-theatrical), TV, games, or animation.

  • All or part of the production is undertaken in Wales.

  • A comprehensive finance plan with secured funding.

  • Inclusion of skills development or upskilling components.

  • Commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

  • Evidence of commercial viability (e.g., distribution deal, commission, broadcaster).

  • A minimum lead time of 12 weeks from acceptance of the expression of interest to the project start date.

  • A demonstrable track record in the genre, with at least one commercial release in the past three years.

• Funding Priorities:

  • Support for Welsh-based production and games development companies targeting international audiences.

  • Attraction of high-end inward investment projects that boost the local economy and leave a significant skills legacy in Wales.

  • Emphasis on content that showcases Welsh culture, language, and geography..

Development Fund

Creative Wales has established a Development Fund to assist Welsh digital media and TV projects in the early stages of development.

• Recent Allocation:

  • In May 2024, £840,000 was awarded to 31 Wales-based projects to help them fully develop their ideas within Wales.

Collaboration with Ffilm Cymru Wales

A partnership between Creative Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales offers combined funding to support film productions.

• Funding Structure:

  • Up to £600,000 per project:

    • Up to £400,000 from Creative Wales.

    • Up to £200,000 via Ffilm Cymru lottery funds.

• Focus:

  • Support for films featuring Wales-born or Wales-based writers, directors, and producers.

  • Projects that generate significant economic impact and promote Welsh talent.