Our film lawyers advise clients on the entire lifecycle of a film. During development we help producers to investigate and secure the rights needed to successfully produce their project and can handle complex chain of title issues as well as straight screenplay commissions and rights options. We also act for publishers, authors and other rights holders, providing commercial as well as legal advice in helping them to exploit film rights in a given property.
We guide producers, as well as lenders, banks and financiers, through the process of film financing, providing prompt, commercial and pragmatic advice. As front runners in this field we also have dedicated specialists who can advise on co-productions, EIS and SEIS schemes and the film tax credit. Please see the media finance page of our website for further details.
We take a production counsel role on films of all sizes. We act for major US studios, such as Universal and DreamWorks Studios (now Amblin Partners) and for independent producers, on their UK films as well as many of those being shot in Europe. In addition, we advise high profile talent (including actors, directors and individual producers) in negotiating deals for their involvement in film projects.
We have decades of experience in negotiating with sales agents, distributors and other licensees and can advise on any number of licensing arrangements including straight distribution deals, OTT/digital distribution and merchandising. With separate theatre, publishing, music, interactive entertainment and tech teams, we are also uniquely placed to advise clients on converting their film properties into a proper franchise.
We can advise you on:
- Rights Exploitation
- Development – purchase and option of screenplays, writers’ agreements, life story rights agreements, development financing and other development agreements
- Financing – international co-productions, multi-party financings, equity investments, bank and/or senior lender financings, interparty and security arrangements, tax credits, tax efficient structures and refinancing
- Production – talent arrangements, location and studio agreements, music composing and licences, footage clearance, releases, post production services and facilities, first look deals
- Union issues
- Distribution – UK and international distribution deals, sales agency terms, digital media and ancillary rights, format rights
- Talent – actor, director, writer and individual producer agreements, international talent agreements including SAG Global Rule 1
- Commercial, copyright and other rights issues
Marv Studios
We advised Marv Studios on the financing and production of Kingsman: The Golden Circle, the sequel to the hugely successful 2015 film Kingsman: The Secret Service starring Colin Firth and Taron Egerton.
Universal Pictures
We acted for Universal Pictures on its production of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt. We also acted as production lawyers for Universal Pictures on The Mummy starring Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe.
Amblin Partners (formerly DreamWorks Studios)
We advised on production aspects of the Oscar-winning Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks and Entebbe starring Rosamund Pike.
Working Title
We acted as production lawyers on the upcoming crime drama movie The Snowman, starring Michael Fassbender, based on the hugely successful book by Jo Nesbø.
Fudge Park
We acted for Fudge Park, the creative team who produced The Inbetweeners, on their new film The Festival starring Joe Thomas and Hannah Tointon.
Locksmith Animation
We act for Locksmith Animation, the UK’s first high-end feature animation studio. Locksmith is backed by Elisabeth Murdoch and the VFX house Double Negative, and has a three picture deal with Fox. We advised Locksmith on its financing by Elisabeth Murdoch.
Sarah Lazarides
Partner
E: sarah.lazarides@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Peter Armstrong
Legal Consultant
E: peter.armstrong@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Jonathan Berger
Legal Consultant
E: jonathan.berger@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Charles Leveque
Co-Managing Partner
E: charles.leveque@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Abigail Payne
Partner
E: abigail.payne@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Harry Bresslaw
Managing Associate
E: harry.bresslaw@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Clare McGarry (née Zucker)
Managing Associate
E: clare.mcgarry@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Edward Lane
Managing Associate
E: edward.lane@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Ishan Deshpande
Associate
E: ishan.deshpande@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Catherine Flood
Managing Associate
E: catherine.flood@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Zoey Forbes
Managing Associate
E: zoey.forbes@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Caitlin McGivern
Senior Associate
E: caitlin.mcgivern@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Stephanie Poon
Associate
E: stephanie.poon@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Octavia Henderson-Cleland
Associate
E: octavia.henderson-cleland@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
