Applications are now open for Film London’s Production Finance Market, which promises to connect established talent, emerging filmmakers and storytellers from the wider creative economy with all-important finance.

Now in its 20^th year, PFM has helped hothouse features like Sundance winner Cactus Pears and UK-Jamaica co-pro Duppy, which appears as part of the Frontières Platform at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Every year the PFM sees 60+ features worth circa €250m pitched to financiers, producers and screen agencies from all over the world over two days of intense speed dating-style sessions. Spanning first-time features from exciting new voices, high-budget pictures from established filmmakers, documentaries and animation projects, the Market remains a one-of-a-kind event for the UK industry and a vital component of Europe’s production ecosystem.

As part of its ongoing work to connect and platform storytellers from across the creator economy, this year’s event will include full access to Upstream, Film London’s rapidly-evolving IP showcase. Both an in-person event and a monthly Substack, Upstream offers a unique opportunity to get in at the ground floor with fresh IP. Upstream has already connected storytellers with deals across film, theatre, games and publishing.

Running the annual PFM is Helena Mackenzie, who does so under the new, expanded role of Head of Talent and Business Development. Helena said:

“Given the scale of change across the industry, and what’s going on with formats, creators and the entirety of the film ecosystem, I think 2026 is going to be an extremely exciting year for the PFM. As well as welcoming back long-time finance, funding and filmmaking partners and emerging voices we’ll also have a whole new strand of creators, with new ways of working, exciting early-stage IP and different types of storytelling as part of the second day’s Upstream@PFM strand,

“I’m thrilled to be taking on this expanded role, building on the incredible work done by Jordan McGarry over the last 10 years of Talent Development and Production. I’m excited to be continuing to evolve how we support filmmakers of all types in the capital and beyond.”

Helena continues to oversee film and TV inward investment into London, as well as production and locations support for productions filming in the capital. Her expanded role will see her oversea the organisation’s talent development work, including short film and early feature development under the BFI NETWORK aegis, which is made possible through National Lottery funding. Helena will oversee the development of Film London Upstream, working alongside Jordan McGarry, who assumes the role of Senior Creative Advisor for PFM New Talent & Upstream.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London, said:

“Being able to anticipate and meet the film industry’s changing needs has always been one of Film London’s strengths, and the PFM is a perfect case in point. Over the past two decades the event has expanded and evolved, shining a spotlight on different genres, different regions and different budget levels in response to industry demand. This year is no exception, and as we continue to explore the impact and creative possibilities of early-stage IP, different formats and the creator economy through Upstream, so too will our financiers, studios and international guests find ever-more inspiring projects to support and greenlight. Combining Upstream with the PFM is a truly unique proposition for our delegates, who’ll get the chance to explore exciting new production projects as well as an ever-wider range of emerging talent and IP.

“While I’m pleased that Jordan will continue working with us on Upstream and the PFM’s New Talent Strand on a consultancy basis, I would like to thank her for her indefatigable work championing and supporting London’s talent over the last decade. I’d like to congratulate Helena on her expanded role, and I’m excited to see how Upstream, PFM and our talent and business development work continue evolve over the coming months as we continue our dedicated support for the capital’s creators and screen sectors.”

The Film London Production Finance Market returns from 6-7 October as part of the BFI London Film Festival. Applications to the event are open now (click here for more information), and close on 22 June for the New Talent Strand and 29 June for the Main PFM.

A series of six online roundtables offering guidance and advice on applying to PFM’s New Talent Strand will take place throughout May and June. More information on timings and registration can be found HERE.

Those attending Cannes wishing to find out more can attend Film London’s panel session at the Marché on May 17. All Change, Please: Identifying New Content Strategies, Partners and IP in a Shifting Landscape will feature insights from Sophie Green, Head of Acquisitions and Development at Bankside, Ajuán Isaac-George, writer-director of Duppy and development producer Dorottya Székely (Duppy).

The 2026 edition of the PFM continues its international partnerships with Tallinn Black Nights, EAVE, MIFF 37 South, Ontario Creates, HessenFilm and Medien, The National Film and Video Foundation South Africa, Screen Ireland, The Netherlands Film Commission, and Ffilm Cymru, S4C, and Creative Wales’ Sinema Cymru programme. For 2026, a new partnership has been established with The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore. The PFM also continues to work with its Spanish and Italian industry colleagues and others across Europe.

The Film London Production Finance Market is supported by the Mayor of London and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).