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Film Tax Credits and Film Tax Incentives – Overview, Difference in Types, How to Monetize, Benefits to Local Economies, Film Finance, and Misconceptions

Film tax credits and film tax incentives (also known as Production Incentives) are widely used film finance source for filmmakers, production companies, major studios, and independent films worldwide. Forming a portion of film financing for productions, the net benefit can range from 15% to up to 55% of eligible expenditure locally. National and local government bodies have understood that proving film and television support encourages inbound investment into local economies.

This dynamic has created a win-win situation for entertainment production and participating jurisdictions’ economic benefit. Large sums of money flow into the local economy, while film and television production finance shortfalls in funding are assisted by federal, state and local treasuries.

Film and television production is encouraged, supported, and welcomed with the establishment of film commissions dedicated to luring production to their area. Billions of dollars of inward investment and expenditure is deployed into the communities in which the incentives are utilized.

Federal, State, and Local Government subsidies in the form of tax credits help productions fill gaps in funding, ensuring a stable and reliable (more on this below) source of finance as a percentage of a project’s film or tv budget. The average film tax credits percentage is about 20-30% of a project budget.

Film Tax Credit and Film Tax Incentives Updates

Czech Republic Increases Refundable Tax Credit Amount and Per Project Cap

Czech Republic announced an increase in its refundable film tax credit program from 20-25% on December 11, 2024 effective January 1, 2025. Additionally the government tripled the per project cap to €18m from €6m. Documentaries with a minimum runtime of 70 minutes qualify and documentary series will be eligible for the 25% incentive in 2026. Read the article here.

Denmark Announces Film and Television Incentives Program

Denmark announced that it will allocate $17m to a new film tax credit and production incentives program for film and television. Country will join other Nordic states expanding their film and tv support offerings.

Hungary Updates and Extends Film Tax Credit Program to 2030

Hungary has extended its reliable film tax credit to 2030, adding additional certainty for film financing to rely upon. Budapest based film tax incentive stands at 30% for film and television series productions.

Recent filmed productions in Hungary include ‘Alien: Romulus’, ‘The Brutalist’, and ‘The Day of the Jackal’.

Australia Film Tax Credit Updated and Increased to 30% for Film and Television

Australia Location Offset increased to 30% for film and television international production filming in Australia. The Location Offset production rebate has been increased from the previous 16.5% level as of July 2024.

The Producers Offset for local Australian productions remains in effect complementing the location film tax incentives programs, with the government demonstrating strong support for the entertainment industry.

For a list of global production incentives mapped with detailed information visit:

https://www.ep.com/production-incentives

For a list of US film tax incentives visit:

https://www.castandcrew.com/services/incentives-map/

https://www.mediaservices.com/blog/state-by-state-production-incentives-roundup-2022/

Types of Film Tax Credits – Rebates, Refundable Tax Credits, Transferable Tax Credits

There are three major types of film tax credits

The three main types of film tax credits are refundable, rebate, and transferable

Refundable and Rebate film tax credits are similar in that they both entail a cash outlay from the governing body to the production. A refundable incentive is an allowance toward taxes which may be owed by a production in the jurisdiction, for which the excess over what is owed is returned to the entity responsible for making the film or tv show. 

A Rebate Film Tax Credit is similar to a Refundable one, in that it is a cash outlay to the production. The governing entity literally writes a check to the production company responsible for the expenditures.

A Transferable Film Tax Credit takes a different approach as it is a true credit which is transferred to an entity owing taxes as a way to reduce their own net outlay. This takes the form of a company with a large tax bill, which acquires tax credits at a discount, with the difference in the amount of the credit to what they paid for it as a savings to the company.

Transferable tax credits must be sold to a company via a film tax credit broker, who arranges and connects the buyer and the seller. The tax credit is reduced in this process by as much as 4%-11%, yielding a net to the production of 89%-96% of the film tax incentive net benefit. 

The above factors must be considered when analyzing locations and film tax credits, with the understanding on what the actual return will be. Most locations now require an audit by a third party, and a CPA can help with this and often arrange connection with a broker.

Benefit to Local Economies

Multiple financial analysis reports from leading accountancy firms (PwC, EY, Deloitte, etc.) on the efficacy of film tax credits demonstrates an economic impact return of between $2.00-$7.00 for every $1.00 spent to encourage inward production. Film and television productions must spend locally to gain an incentive, which results in about 60-70% of a film budget to be spent locally.

Economic areas where the expense is deployed benefits: hotels, motels, airbnb housing, short term rental housing, restaurants, dry cleaning facilities, washing facilities, taxis, uber drivers, construction materials providers, lumbar, hardware stores, clothing suppliers, airports, individual homeowners (site rentals), small businesses of all ranges. 

Additionally, inbound production benefits the local crew base of an area, training, elevating, teaching, promoting local film and tv crew members on the movies and tv series that shoot in the area. This benefits both the producers and the crew members, providing invaluable training and experience.

FilmBudget.com Worldwide provides film tax credit and production incentives analysis, calculation, and certification services. Its core service is professional film budget and schedule, film finance plans, and producer consulting services utilizing 30 years of Major Hollywood Studio and indie film producing experience by its founder, Producer Jack Binder (First Reformed, The Upside of Anger). For a list of our credits visit: www.FilmBudget.com/about – Get in touch for a complimentary consultation on your project via: www.FilmBudget.com/contact

We look forward to assisting you with you production and film finance requirements. For an analysis of your film tax credit amount get in touch for a complimentary consultation on your project!

The film budget is a critical document for film finance and production. It is created by an experienced producer, line producer, production manager, or sometimes a production accountant.

The person who generates a film budget should have experience in the level of film production that the budget is intended for. A line producer who makes a low indie film budget might not have the experience to create a high budget for a major movie or tv series. Alternatively a big budget producer will not necessarily have the knowledge for small indie film budgeting.

Film budgeting and scheduling are critical skills and talents required, and filmmakers should engage an expert to create their budget. Having the proficiency to breakdown a screenplay into its various elements, and how to create the production shooting schedule considering all of the moving parts is a fundamental ability to have.

The overriding factor is an extensive understanding of costs and filmmaking practices across the wide area of disciplines required to produce a film. From actors salaries to construction and transportation costs, the budget must reflect the entirety of the expenses associated with film and television production.

What experience is required to create the film budget?

Generally line producers are experienced in a wide range and level of filmmaking and are able to engage in all areas of budgeting accuracy. A well rounded line producer has produced films at multiple ranges of budgets and can tailor the anticipated expenditures to the requirement of the story, whether a screenplay or teleplay.

The person who creates the film budget will have the understanding and appreciation for calculating exacting costs, to obtain the highest production value, for the lowest budget. This applies to both indie film budgets, Major Studio and streaming company productions.

What skills standout as a requirement for successful film budgeting?

A professional with such extensive experience is best suited to accurately determine film budgets and the costs of production. Allowing for numerous factors which may affect the investment in the movie or tv series, the knowledgeable producer factors in contingencies, operational planning, and precise labor rates to ensure the most appropriate numbers and processes are anticipated and utilized in preparation for filming.

How does the film budget affect film finance?

Film and tv production represents a substantial investment. Film financing depends upon accurate budgets to determine the appropriate amount of funding required. Even small variations may substantially affect the film finance plan and the investment needed. The precision required affects not only the requisite funding, but of course the level of revenue required to recoup the investment in the film or tv production. 

How can you get a film budget created for an indie film or tv production?

FilmBudget.com Founder Producer Jack Binder creates custom, proven, accurate film budget and schedule packages for filmmakers worldwide. As an on-the-lot and in-the-field Producer of Major Hollywood and Indie Films, a Line Producer, and Directors Guild of America Unit Production Manager (DGA UPM), Jack has over 25 years experience in all budget ranges from low budget to Major Hollywood Studio and streaming tv series and movie budgeting.

Contact Jack to discuss your film or television production budget, film finance plans, and producing consulting services.

A UK Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC) has been created it was announced today. The increased Independent Film Tax Credit will apply to United Kingdom films with a film budget of £15m ($19m) or less.

The UK Independent Film Tax Credit rate will increase to 53%, which is capped at 80% of core expenditure costs. This will result in a net film tax credit rate 42.4% for UK indie films. TV shows will not be eligible for this tax credit.

UK films with a movie budget exceeding £15m will remain eligible for the existing 25% tax credit for film and high-end television (HETV).

Full details have yet to be released as of this writing. Updates will be included as they are likewise announced.

Additional changes will see Studios receive a 40% tax credit, designed to continue the build-out of the UK Studio and Stage infrastructure boom. Further changes included a 5% increase to the VFX tax credit, and removal of the 80% cap for visual effects costs in the audiovisual expenditure credits.

Read the Hollywood Reporter article on the announcement.

Read the HMT-HMRC Policy Note on the revised incentives.

Head to our Main Page for additional information on our film budget services. We are film budget and schedule experts with over 25 years experience as a Major Hollywood Studio and indie film producer in the UK, US, and worldwide for film finance, film tax credits, film budgeting, film finance plans, and Producer Consulting Services.

Title | Film Budget | US Box Office | International | Total Box Office

The film budget of Oscars movies of 2024

The Holdovers — $19m $7m $26m

American Fiction $20m $8m — $8m

The Zone of Interest — $1.6m — $1.6m

Barbie $145m $636m $809m $1.44b

Oppenheimer $100m $327 $626m $953m

Poor Things $35m $21m $13m $34m

Past Lives $12m $11m $12m $23m

Anatomy of a Fall $6m $4m $20m $24m

Maestro $80m $.4m — $.4m

Killers of the Flower Moon — $67m $89 $156m

The film budget of Oscars nominated movie, domestic box office, international box office, and total box office worldwide to date of the 2024 Oscar® Nominated Best Picture movies are listed above. Ticket sales are based upon figures to-date and are being updated.

While some the the film titles were released earlier in the year, some movies were only released in theaters in the US in 2023 in order to qualify for an Academy Award nomination. Where data is not listed this is because the film budget for Oscars movies information is not currently, or readily available it is denoted as “–“.

Film Budget of Best Picture Nominees 2024

A full list of the Academy Awards 2024 Nominees can be found via Oscars.org

For further information on how to be a professional filmmaker with a film budget to get you to the Oscars® visit FilmBudget.com for more details.

To compare the film budget and box office of the top 10 notable Sundance Film Festival films, FilmBudget.com analyzed the list over the first four decades. We first listed the film budget for each, in inflation adjusted US Dollars to correspond with 2024.

We then compared each film with Domestic US box office (US and Canada) and its International box office, likewise using inflation adjusted US Dollars. (Note: All figures are approximate estimations and for comparison purposes only.)

The Film Budget of the Top 10 Notable Sundance Film Festival Films (adjusted for inflation)

• Whiplash (2014) $ 3,857,668
• Reservoir Dogs (1992) $ 2,366,643
• Get Out (2017) $ 5,080,171
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006) $10,980,159
• Memento (2001) $14,061,547
• Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) $ 2,677,742
• Before Sunrise (1995) $ 4,539,042
• Boyhood (2014) $ 4,675,961
• Y Tu Mamá También (2002) $ 3,076,153
• Blood Simple (1985). $ 3,857,342

The Box Office Gross of the Top 10 Sundance Film Festival Notable Films

Here we have listed the U.S. Box Office and International Box Office Gross for each Sundance Top 10 Notable film, inflation adjusted to 2024 U.S. Dollars, strictly for demonstration purposes to provide the film budget and box office of these Sundance Film Festival favorites.

• Whiplash (2014)
  • U.S. Box Office: $13 million
  • International Box Office: $36.3 million
• Reservoir Dogs (1992)
  • U.S. Box Office: $2.8 million
  • International Box Office: $337,620
• Get Out (2017)
  • U.S. Box Office: $176 million
  • International Box Office: $79 million
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
  • U.S. Box Office: $59.9 million
  • International Box Office: $40.8 million
• Memento (2001)
  • U.S. Box Office: $25.5 million
  • International Box Office: $14.2 million
• Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
  • U.S. Box Office: $65 million
  • International Box Office: $18 million
• Before Sunrise (1995)
  • U.S. Box Office: $12.8 million
  • International Box Office: $.851 million
• Boyhood (2014)
  • U.S. Box Office: $25.4 million
  • International Box Office: $20.2 million
• Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
  • U.S. Box Office: $13.6 million
  • International Box Office: $20.8 million
• Blood Simple (1985)
  • U.S. Box Office: $3.8 million
  • International Box Office: $3.2 million

The Sundance Film Festival 2024 Official Site, Program Information

There are numerous types of film finance providers for film and television production finance. Each of these types have different business models.

What are Film Financing Requirements?

Each film financing entity has separate requirements which they look for in a project in deciding to provide funding. The most common element required is the film budget for the project, but equally or more important may be the screenplay, international sales contracts, or film tax credits availability.

How Important is the Team Behind a Project?

Likewise entertainment funding companies will look at your team – who is behind the project and what value do they bring to the production. This provides them with a sense of security, if they determine the filmmakers and stakeholders involved are experienced, have a track record, or have engaged with those whom do.

What are the Different Types of Film Finance Providers?

Among the various types of film financiers which provide capital for the film business, the general categories in the sector are:

• Debt, Gap, and Film Tax Credit Financing
• Entertainment Companies (providing equity investment)
• Film & Television Production Companies (acquire intellectual property to produce and/or distribute)
• Individual Equity Investors

Some companies provide a combination of the above forms of film and/or television production funding. 

All except perhaps the third category on the list, acquisition of IP to exploit have as a fundamental item required to consider a project a professional film budget as well as a well developed film finance plan. 

For all except perhaps the first category on the list (Lenders, and increasingly even those) an outstanding screenplay or teleplay is a critical factor in determination if the project will be considered, and approved, for production financing.

Debt, Gap, and Film Tax Credit Financing

This form of funding is primarily a lending vehicle. This might be a bank or finance company engaged in providing loans against collateral. The collateral can take the form of international film sales contracts, distribution deals, or film tax credit contracts from a local US State or foreign country. 

In addition to these forms of collateral, these lenders will review the film budget which is the basis for the production’s film finance plan. The film budget is likewise a requirement for determining the film tax credit net benefit (payout.)

Here is a link to an informative panel conference webinar How to Utilize and Secure Debt and Gap Financing

Film Equity Investment Companies

These types of companies are engaged in the production and/or distribution of film and television content. Providing equity investments in productions is the core of their business. These are the true film financiers and bring different sources of funding together. 

These can include production companies, mini-studios, lenders with an equity contingent arm. Investment in film and tv may be driven by commercial goals; profit driven.

Alternatively they might be an artistic or social themes driven entity, engaged in high end television or independent film investing, production, and releasing.

These firms prioritize the script, the film budget, and the film finance plan to determine viability. The creative and production team, along with strong name talent attachments, are key considered elements.

Film and Television Producers and Production Companies

Even more numerous than the above, a large amount of film and television producers and companies are in the business of acquiring intellectual property. These companies will option the IP and develop the properties through packaging and arranging financing through their known funding sources. 

Many of these types of firms will have output deals with distributors, studios, streamers, etc. They know what their buyers are looking for and what their requirements are to provide financing and/or distribution.

The screenplay, film budget, and film finance plan are the basis for consideration. Additionally the team behind the project and any cast attachments are crucial however they are unique in their development of the package as a business model.

Individual Equity Investors

Individual equity investors are high wealth persons engaged, or seeking to be engaged in the financing of indie films and tv series. Their aims might be their passion for cinema, specific topics, social causes, celebrity and the lure of showbusiness. 

As with all investors they intend to make a return on the capital, while some might wish for a more active role in the creative and production process. 

For these types of investors the screenplay, film budget, and film finance plan are basic requirements in addition to cast being a substantial bonus factor.

To create a professional film budget or tv budget requires the craft of designing the shooting schedule. This applies to both movies and television productions. Following the screenplay breakdown process, generating the shooting schedule, and the stripboard schedule, is critical to producing a successful budget.

The Shooting Schedule for Film and TV

The film and tv shooting schedule comprises multiple documents (see list below.) The main document for a movie or television production is the stripboard schedule. Once the stripboard is generated the other documents in the scheduling package can be made.

The key to a quality shooting schedule is the experience of the person making it. A highly experienced producer or assistant director use their knowledge of production to make it. Knowing how a production works, what are the best practices for filming, and in what sequences is extremely important. This impacts not only the schedule but the budget and the entire production.

The Stripboard Schedule

The stripboard schedule creation can begin once the script has been read and the screenplay breakdown has been executed (this entails breaking down and listing every element required to facilitate the production. With the breakdown in hand, each scene of the movie is given a dedicated “strip” to represent it. Each strip contains the slug line (INT., EXT.), the set (Country Farm House), the page length of the scene listed in 1/8 of a page (3 1/8), a brief synopsis of the scene (They enter the country farm house), and the characters I.D. # generated from the breakdown (1. Bob 2. Carol 3. Ted 4. Alice.)

Following the generation of all the strips, which are now in the order of the screenplay, the producer, line producer, production manager, or A.D. order the strips for utmost financial and creative efficiency and practicality. They then create day breaks representing the end of a days work. Day breaks contain the date, shooting day #, and the total pages to be filmed.

What Order Should I Shoot the Scenes of the Movie?

Deciding what order to shoot the scenes of the movie is where the expertise, knowledge, and experience is foremost critical. Knowing which scenes to shoot first, which last, which to hold back for unexpected scenarios, etc. is the important factor in the production of the film. A schedule that is not very well designed and perfected can cause complete chaos and failure of a production. On the other hand, a well designed schedule can make for a very smooth film or television production.

What Documents are Included in a Film or TV Shooting Schedule Package?

Once the stripboard schedule is created the following documents are generated to represent the shooting schedule:

The Stripboard Shooting Schedule

The Master Shooting Schedule

The Day Out of Days

The Locations List Schedule

The One Line Schedule

Additional documents may include: Picture Vehicles Schedule, Stunts Schedule, Props, SFX, Armory schedules, etc.

For a complete list of services offered by FilmBudget.com please visit our film budget and schedule production services page. Likewise head to our home page for full details on our complete services and for a free consultation on your film and tv series production requirements for launching film finance and to prepare your production.

Additional details on creating a shooting schedule can be found via this Linkedin post.

A professional film budget for film financing is necessary now more than before due to the current market conditions. Wall Street has taken a harsh stand on the big streaming services lately. Netflix set off a tumble in entertainment company valuations when they announced their first reduction in the number of new subscribers.

Cost Efficiency

This created an environment for cost efficiency. With reduced market valuations for the streaming companies, and media companies in general, the film and television industry was required to reevaluate their spending on each film budget, tv budget, and overall talent costs.

Lay-Offs

The result was the film business and Major Hollywood Studios had to demonstrate increased profits to appease the Wall St. markets. Layoffs ensued, with promises to reduce their bottom lines and increase profitability. This followed a wave of tech company workforce reductions which had previously occurred, mostly for different reasons (they had all over-employed during the pandemic.)

Big Film Budget and TV Series Budgets

As they raced to market share with ever increasing film budget and tv series budgets the streaming companies and Hollywood studios entered increasing competition. Netflix, the previous market leader, suddenly had the likes of Disney+, Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max (now “Max”), Apple TV Plus, Paramount+, a few amongst many, to compete with. Bigger shows were ordered, increased spending and costs were deemed necessary to engage audiences.

Wall Street Had a Voice

Wall Street now had a larger voice in the boardrooms. Cost reduction, profits were now encouraged and required. The costs of movies and tv shows needed to come down. The streamers and studios reacted quickly to the enormous loss of market valuations.

The Cost of Film and Television Production – The Film Budget and TV Series Budget Had to Come Down

The cost of film and television production had to come down. A wake up call was answered. The ever increasing spending on content production had to be reigned in.

Likewise, staff reductions were necessary to create more efficiency. Billions of dollars had to be found to generate savings and increase profits.

The Film Budget in the Indie Film Sector

While consistently challenged to keep the film budget low in indie film production, these events have put even more pressure on the film budgets of independent films. As streaming and the Hollywood Studios sought more content to feed their subscriber growth, indie filmmakers had a fleeting moment of rising to the scale they had long desired. Alas, this euphoria did not last long.

The Indie Film Market

The indie film market is accustomed to this requirement. For years the independent film finance and production environment has demanded the highest production value at the lowest expense. Casting name actors at a profitable rate has always been a fundamental part of independent film financing.

A Return To Theaters

As audiences are showing a renewed penchant for a return to theaters, increasing opportunities arise for indie films. This is especially true in this current economic climate of film production. (A conversation in our next post.)

In Conclusion

Increased scrutiny on production costs for film and television production for the industry will benefit from the efficiencies of the long funding-restricted indie film finance pool of resources. The current markets for film and television will demand further scrutiny on the film budget and tv budget for internal cost control reasons. A professional film budget for film finance is therefore quite necessary and advised.

The previous period of unbridled growth in content spending was much less restrictive. A new focus on conservative film budgeting and scheduling, in the Major Hollywood Studio, streaming, and independent film worlds, will be requisite expectations for filmmakers for the foreseeable future.

Jack Binder is a Major Hollywood Studio, indie film, and high end television Producer of over 25 years. Binder’s credits include ‘First Reformed’ (Ethan Hawke, A24 Studios), ‘The Upside of Anger’ (Kevin Costner, New Line Cinema/Warner Bros.), ‘Reign Over Me’ (Adam Sandler, Sony Pictures) and many more. Jack is the Founder of FilmBudget.com Jack Binder’s full credits and biography can be found here.

Producer Jack Binder – Founder – FilmBudget.com Worldwide

Film, TV, Arts & Entertainment Relief List | Stimulus & Tax Matters

Film Budget Inc. (FilmBudget.com) compiled a list of Film, TV & Entertainment Relief for the Corona Virus Shutdown. With millions out of work assistance from government, industry, companies and organizations is critical to help those in the arts and entertainment industry to survive.

Updating Daily:

Film Independent List of Film & TV Emergency Relief and Support Programs

Film Independent has put together a long list of programs helping those of us in the film, tv, arts and entertainment sector during these troubling times of the Corona Virus Shutdown. You can find the Covid-19 Support List Here.

Los Angeles County Announces Free Covid-19 Testing for All Residents

TheWrap List of Hollywood Film & TV Workers Aid Programs

TheWrap listed agencies, companies and organizations helping film and television workers with support during the corona virus production shutdown. Here is a link to the list

BFI Launches £2m Fund for UK Production Affected by Pandemic

Greg Berlanti Pledges $1 Million Fund for TV Production Crews

Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF)

Helping film and television production workers with less than $10,000 in assets

The Actors Fund

The Actors Fund has already distributed $7.5 million to 6,832 people for emergency assistance.

Tax Implications of COVID-19 Relief Package

Film Industry Icon Schuyler (Sky) M. Moore, Greenberg-Glusker Law Firm on the benefits and tax advantages within the CARES ACT.

Madrid Announces Covid19 Cultural Arts Relief Package

Hungary Begins National Grants Program to Support Film & TV Industry

IndieWire Film & Television “Ways You Can Help”, Charities and Grants

Extensive list of ways people can help others, charities, grants and programs to help workers displaced due to the Corona Virus Shutdown. This includes theater workers, artists, actors, musicians, behind the scenes crew and writers, directors and producers.

Sundance Institute

CBC | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:

Europe Film & TV Industry Country by Country Guide

Film TV Arts and Entertainment Relief List

Viacom / CBS Launches $100 Million Relief Fund for Employees

ViacomCBS isn’t the only media company to support relief efforts. WarnerMedia committed $100 million to a relief fund, Comcast pledged $500 million to help workers impacted by coronavirus, and Sony launched a $100 million fund of its own.

Beauty United: Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barryomore, Victoria Beckham Team for Relief

Hollywood Names Help Fund Direct Giving Corona Virus Relief Campaign

Supported by Pink, Maria Bello and stars from ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ the On Being Human 2020 campaign started by author Jennifer Pastiloff raises critical funds for people who need food during the pandemic.

Legendary Entertainment

Los Angeles Times

Ten Things You Can Do to Help

Canada

Where Canadian Artists and Freelancers can find help

Music Artists – Where Artists and Labels can find relief

Federal Covid-19 Relief for Artists & Labels

Ava DuVernay Launches Array Grants to Support Art Organizations focused on Women of Color, Film Festivals

Netherlands Launches Corona Virus Relief Fund for Film & TV Workers

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/europes-coronavirus-industry-support-programs-a-country-by-country-guide-1289518

Los Angeles Renters Guide to the Corona Virus Shutdown

Idris Elba Starts Farmers Fund for UK Villages

Please send any programs which you feel should be listed via the Contact Form. Thank you.

For information on Film Budgeting and Producer Jack Binder click here

Let’s get back into production! Investors require a film budget to finance your film. FilmBudget.com International creates custom finance, bank, completion bond and camera ready film budget and schedule packages, film finance plans, and custom producer consulting services . We are offering substantial discounts and financing for our services including film budgeting and scheduling discounted packages to move your production forward.

Sundance Film Festival 2020 Acquisition Deals

FilmBudget.com put together our Annual Sundance Film Festival 2020 Distribution Acquisition Deals List as they occur, including pre-buys, pending, and signed deals. Sundance has seen a number of record breaking acquisition deals in 2020, with many selling for eight figures.

Film Festival Dealmaking at Sundance Apace for 2020

Sundance dealmaking started very slowly and then picked up at a rapid pace. At first it appeared to be a light distribution deal year for Sundance. Fortunately for the filmmakers the competition heated up toward the end to a voracious clip!

Sale figures are estimated based on sources and reports. Here are the major deals announced:

Hulu and Neon acquire ‘Palm Springs’ rom-com starring Andy Samberg for $15M

‘Boys State’ political documentary acquired by Apple and A24 for $12M

Neon acquires ‘Ammonite’ romantic drama starring Kate Winslet

Phyllida Lloyd’s ‘Herself’ bought by Amazon Studios

Lionsgate buys ‘Ironbark’ Cold War drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch

‘Uncle Frank’ drama about a closeted gay man bought by Amazon for $12M

Hulu acquires ‘Bad Hair’ horror film by Justin Simien for $8M

‘The Truffle Hunters’ documentary sold to Sony Pictures Classics for $1.5M

Netflix to close high seven figure deal on ‘The 40-Year-Old Version’ Radha Blank’s directorial debut

‘Siempre, Luis’ documentary about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s father acquired by HBO Documentary Films

HBO Max buys ‘On the Record’ Russell Simmons documentary after AppleTV+ and Oprah Winfrey back out

‘The Night House’ Rebecca Hall horror film acquired by Searchlight Pictures for $12M

Magnolia Pictures and Topics Studios buy ‘The Fight’ doc for seven figures

‘Zola’ stripper drama acquired by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions

Sony Pictures Classics and Stage 6 buy ‘I Carry You With Me’ US-Mexico drama

‘Identifying Features’ Mexican drama sold to Kino Lorber

Film Constellation acquires ‘Farewell Amor’ family drama

‘Assassins’ North Korea murder documentary acquired by Magnolia Pictures

RLJE Films buy ‘Spree’ gonzo satire starring Joe Keery for $2M

For a full list of all sales, see A Complete List of Movies Sold at Sundance 2020

More on Sundance Awards 2020 Winners, see Grand Jury Prize Award Winner, Minari, and the Complete List of Winners

Last years deals, see Sundance Film Festival 2019 Acquisition Deals

Return to FilmBudget.com

Produced by Jack Binder Film & TV Credits & Bio