The Film London Production Finance Market (PFM) will return for a fourth year, taking place on 20-21 October 2010 in association with the BFI 54th London Film Festival. The PFM is dedicated to connecting producers with financiers to encourage new film financing relationships with 800 face to face meetings over the two days. Over the last three year the event has seen much success and has been directly responsible for getting new features into production. Applications for this year’s Market are now open and the deadline is Friday 9 July www.filmlondon.org.uk/PFM.

The only film finance Market of its kind, the PFM is crucial for the independent film industry and has become a popular event for producers and financiers alike since launching in 2007. Last year’s event was attended by over 150 delegates from 14 countries featuring companies such as Warner Bros., Focus Features and Lionsgate UK as well as France’s Wild Brunch, Italy’s RAI Cinema and Spain’s Tornasol.

Productions that have directly benefitted from finance raised at previous PFM’s include Camilla Bray's Oranges & Sunshine starring Hugo Weaving and Emily Watson, Oscar Rodriguez's Second Origin, scheduled to start in spring 2011; Robert Jones' Marques de Coelho, which plans to shoot this summer and Jonathan Cavendish's new company, Caveman Films raised development funding. Indirect benefits have included producers attaching sales companies to their projects as a result of the PFM, and projects being re-packaged following market feedback.

Additional funding from MEDIA this year allows the event to continue to increase opportunities for experienced European producers and financiers, plus a new partnership with Ile de France – part of a wider collaboration with Film London – will see up to four selected French producers attend the PFM, further strengthening connections with the continent.

The alliance with Ile de France builds on the PFM’s existing international links which sees selected PFM producers attending the Rome International Film Festival and a selection of Australian/NZ producers attending PFM from the Melbourne International Film Festival 37ºSouth Market (MIFF/37º South). The partnership with MIFF/37º is extending this year and the number of Australian/NZ producers selected for PFM will increase, following the success of last year’s event.

The 2010 PFM will also expand the provision for financiers, giving them a dedicated forum to explore pricing, risk and market developments reflecting the changing trends in the industry. The level of projects on offer at PFM this year will also be stronger with an emphasis on producers pitching single projects, with a director and strong package attached, rather than slates.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: “There is no doubt the PFM is gaining momentum and there is no better proof of that than the projects we have seen greenlit or have attached co-financing, sales and distribution as a direct result of the Market. At a time when there are less and less avenues for independent film funding, this Market is crucial and we are constantly developing the PFM to ensure it meets the demands of our ever changing industry. The additional MEDIA funding is great news for the Market as it allows us to proactively target even more European producers and financiers and I am delighted to be building on our existing partnerships with this new collaboration with Ile de France.”

Marc Boothe, B3 Media (UK), points out: “B3 has benefited directly from the PFM by forcing us to listen to the market, and package our projects in a more commercial manner. We realised we had to up our game and communicate more effectively.”

Daniel Battsek, President of National Geographic Films and keynote speaker at PFM 2008 said: "After just a few years of existence, the London Production Finance Market has become an important engagement for members of the independent and specialty film community. The market provides a wide range of access to top financiers, producers, and film-makers."


For further press information, please contact:
Colette Geraghty
M: +44 (0) 7917 437 699
E: colette.geraghty@filmlondon.org.uk
Film London are in Cannes Friday 14 – Thursday 20 May

Notes to Editors

• The Film London Production Finance Market takes place Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21 October 2010
• Financiers and producers interested in attending the PFM can download the guidelines and application form at www.filmlondon.org.uk/PFM. The deadline for applications is Friday 9 July 2010
• PFM is supported by the London Development Agency, UK Film Council, MEDIA, UK Trade & Investment and peacefulfish
• The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival runs 13 October – 28 October 2010 www.bfi.org.uk/lff


About Film London
Film London, the capital’s film and media agency, aims to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the city’s businesses and its people. Through the Filming Partnership: London and the South East, the agency sustains, promotes and develops the region as a major international production and film cultural capital, working with all the screen industries. Film London is supported by the UK Film Council and the London Development Agency, also receiving significant support from Arts Council England London, the Mayor of London and Skillset.

Film London’s activities include:
• Investing in new and established talent through a range of specialised production schemes
• Maintaining, strengthening and promoting London and the South East’s position as a film-friendly region to attract investment
• Boosting employment and competitiveness in the capital’s film and media sectors by facilitating funding as well as supporting training and business development activities
• Maximising access to the capital’s film culture by helping audiences discover film in all its diversity
• Working with a wide range of partners to promote London through the production industries
• Utilizing opportunities provided by London 2012 and its legacy to strengthen the capital’s film industry and culture
www.filmlondon.org.uk