Guarantee for European Cinematographic and Audiovisual Production: 70%

Independent European production companies engaged in audiovisual production can benefit from a guarantee provided by Institut pour le Financement du Cinéma et des Industries Culturelles for loans from European credit institutions. This guarantee covers up to 70% of project development expenses, 55% for pre-production and production costs, and 50% for structural needs. The scheme is applicable across various regions in France, including Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Objectives

The Institut pour le Financement du Cinéma et des Industries Culturelles guarantee aims to facilitate access to financing for independent production companies by covering a significant portion of their project-related expenses. This support is significant for fostering the creation of feature films and audiovisual works, ensuring that production companies can secure the necessary funding to bring their projects to fruition.

Beneficiaries

This guarantee is designed for independent European production companies whose primary activity is audiovisual production. Eligibility criteria include:

• Establishment in an EU member state or a country participating in the Creative Europe programme
• Majority ownership by nationals of these countries
• No determining link with a television broadcaster, defined as ownership exceeding 25% by a single broadcaster or generating over 90% of revenue from one broadcaster over three years.

Eligible operations

The guarantee covers expenses related to:

• Development of feature films or audiovisual programs (fiction, animation, documentary)
• Pre-production and production financing of European works
• Structural needs of production companies

It is important that the works are produced predominantly by companies based in Creative Europe participating states and certified by the relevant authorities.

Eligibility conditions

Key conditions for accessing the guarantee include:

• The production company must be independent and meet the ownership criteria
• The financing must be provided by credit institutions authorized in Creative Europe participating countries
• The projects must align with the objectives of the Creative Europe programme.

Grant amount

The guarantee offers a coverage rate of 70% for project development expenses, 55% for pre-production and production financing, and 50% for structural needs. This tiered approach allows production companies to leverage significant financial support tailored to their specific needs.

FAQ:

• Can I combine this guarantee with other funding sources?
  Yes, production companies can explore combining this guarantee with other funding sources, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each scheme.
• How long does it take to receive the guarantee?
  The processing time for guarantees can vary. Contact Institut pour le Financement du Cinéma et des Industries Culturelles for specific timelines based on your project.
• Is my production company eligible if it has multiple owners?
  Yes, as long as the majority ownership is held by nationals from EU member states or participating countries in the Creative Europe programme.
• What types of projects are covered by this guarantee?
  The guarantee covers feature films and audiovisual programs, including fiction, animation, and documentaries, produced predominantly by eligible companies.
• Are there any specific regions where this guarantee is applicable?
  Yes, the guarantee is available for production companies located in various regions, including Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and others participating in the Creative Europe programme.