Film and tv Production restart scheme

What is the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme?

The Film and TV Production Restart Scheme helps film and TV shows struggling to get insurance for Covid-related risks to get back into production. The Scheme makes direct compensation available to producers that incur costs caused by coronavirus abandonment or delays to eligible pre-existing and new productions.

It is important that film and television production companies register as soon as possible for the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, well in advance of production start dates, in order to access the scheme.

Who can apply?

The funding is available to all productions made by companies where at least half of the production budget is spent in the UK. Shows will receive compensation for costs up to a value of 20% of the production budget, with abandonment covered up to 70% upon agreement with the Government.

How to make a claim

Please download and complete the claim form below in full. Once complete, email your form along with all supporting documentation to restartschemeclaims@marshcommercial.co.uk.

Please note that submitting incomplete claim forms or failure to supply supporting documentation may delay the processing of your claim.

Download claims form.

How to apply

Our guidance document explains everything you need to provide for your application.

Please complete the relevant application form and email your completed form to restartscheme@marshcommercial.co.uk.

LEAD PRODUCER

If you are the lead or sole producer registering a production to the scheme, please download your application form here.

Download Lead Producer Application

CO-PRODUCER

If you are a co-producer, please download your application form here.

Download Co-Producer Application

Headline Figures

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - November 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - October 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - September 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - August 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - July 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - June 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - May 2021

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme - April 2021

About the data

^{The data we are publishing each month is based on information provided in application and claims forms and aggregated to provide headline figures for overall budget and positions supported, as well as the total volume and value of claims received, paid and rejected. ‘Positions supported’ is the total number of cast/on screen talent and crew/off screen production crew working on the production. ‘Filming locations’ are provided on the application form and there may be multiple locations per production. This information is used to present filming locations by parliamentary constituency and local authority. Claim location is also provided on each claim form. Not all productions using the scheme are included in the list of scheme users. This is because some productions have requested to be excluded until the project is in the public domain. Rejected claims are claims where no eligible losses have been identified by DCMS.}

Useful links

Film and TV Production Restart Scheme eligibility and guidelines

BFI Co-production Split Budget Template

Pro Forma

Privacy Info

Deductions template

Any questions?

If have any questions, please call our dedicated team on 0333 015 1253.

Alternatively, for general enquiries you can email restartscheme@marshcommercial.co.uk or for claim enquiries please email restartschemeclaims@marshcommercial.co.uk.

FAQs

Where can I find the scheme rules?

The scheme rules are located on the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/film-tv-production-restart-scheme/film-tv-production-restart-scheme-draft-rules If you wish to view the explanatory notes which can be read alongside the scheme rules, please use the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/film-tv-production-restart-scheme/film-tv-production-restart-scheme-draft-explanatory-notes

What is the monthly data report published by the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme?

A. The data we are publishing about the scheme on a monthly basis includes information about the productions using the scheme and headline figures aggregated from application forms including the total production spend and direct positions supported by the scheme. It indicates the number of claims received and paid, and provides a regional and national breakdown of claims and filming locations.

Will any sensitive data be shared in the monthly data report?

No financial information specifically relating to individual productions will be shared. Regional data and production budgets supported are published in aggregate. Production companies can also opt-out of sharing their production title, if there is a specific reason to do so. This can be indicated on the application form, which was updated April 2021. If you applied to the scheme before this date, we will contact you before the data is published.

What do ‘positions supported’ and ‘locations supported‘ mean?

A. ‘Positions supported’ and ‘locations supported’ are taken from information productions are required to provide when applying to the scheme. ‘Positions supported’ is the total number of cast/on screen talent and crew/off screen production crew working on the production. ‘Locations supported’ is the total number of locations included on all the application forms we have received. Many productions will film in multiple locations and some locations may be used by multiple productions.

What are the applicable deductions?

The applicable deductions are classed as the following. Further information on the applicable deductions can be found using the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/film-tv-production-restart-scheme/film-tv-production-restart-scheme-draft-rules#annex-1---definitions-and-interpretation if you wish to discuss these further, please call 0333 015 1253 and press option 1.

Can I claim without being accepted onto the scheme?

No - Once you have completed the application process, paid the scheme fee and received your certificate of acceptance onto the scheme, you can then submit a claim.

What does the scheme cover and what is the maximum amount I can claim for?

The scheme is designed to cover you for cast losses and civil authority losses that are incurred after the 28th July 2020. If you have had to delay or postpone your production, the maximum amount you can submit a request for compensation is 20% of your production budget. In the case of abandonment, the maximum you can claim is 70% of your production budget. The maximum value of compensation available is £5million.

What is the formal notification from a commissioning broadcaster?

This is asking for a letter from your broadcaster / finance stating that the production wasn't allowed to restart as a result of a lack of COVID-19 coverage, or that they were happy for you to continue filming on the anticipation that you will be accepted onto the scheme.

How do I supply proof I'm not in a self or group insurance structure?

Please send an email or letter confirming that you are not part of either of these structures or anything similar relating to the restart schemes coverage

What is the premium to enter the scheme?

This is 1% of your budget minus the applicable deductions as per the scheme rules. In the case of an application for registration made after 23:59 on 31 October 2021 the premium will increase from 1% to 2.5% of your budget minus the applicable deductions as per the scheme rules.

Am I covered for civil authority losses abroad?

No - This is not covered as part of the scheme.

Are over 70s covered by the scheme?

You can name 2 key cast members or the director who are over the age of 70 to be covered under the scheme effective from the 20/12/2020. This will increase your entry fee to 1.25% and also your excess on the over 70s to 15%. For applications made after 23:59 on 31 October 2021 the premium will increase from 1.25% to 2.75% for over 70s' cover.

Can I take the production fee out of my Production Budget?

Yes.

The broadcaster has continued to release funds for filming and hasn't required the production to be part of the restart scheme, am I eligible?

No - If the broadcaster/financer provider has allowed for filming to continue without requiring the production to be part of the scheme, the production is not eligible to apply. If you are unsure about this, please get in contact so we can discuss this further

Is there an excess for the scheme?

Yes - This is the greater of £1,000 or 10% of your loss.

What is the closing date for applications?

23:59 30th April 2022. You must have completed at least 5 days or 20% of the filming scheduled by this date.

Is the scheme fee classed as an applicable deduction?

Yes.

What happens if I have a member of the crew has Covid-19 symptoms or has been told to self-isolate or quarantine?

They must go and have a MHRA approved test (or equivalent if outside ok the UK) as soon as possible. If the test comes back negative, they must make every effort to resume their role as soon as practically possible whilst following the government guidelines on self isolation. A successful payment for compensation is dependent on these steps being taken.

What does Cast Losses mean?

There are the losses a producer incurs when a production has to be interrupted, postponed or abandoned, as a result of:
(I) one or more members of the cast or crew (whose roles are necessary elements in the production) contracting COVID-19 and having to stop working (either through death or illness); or
(ii) one or more Named Persons needing to take time off work because of the death or critical illness of a member of their immediate family due to COVID-19.

Do I need to register all of my budget if I had already used a portion of the Production Budget prior to July 28th and how much will I pay?

No - Please only register your remaining budget from the 28th July onwards. Your fee will be 1% of your budget post 28th July?

Are we still eligible where a commissioning broadcaster pays on delivery and has not released any money in line with the Commercial Viability criteria?

Yes - As long as the broadcaster has authorised you to continue production in line with being accepted onto the restart scheme.

Can we still apply without a signed production agreement?

Yes - A trust letter of finance agreement would be great. If you are unable to provide any of these, please contact us so we can discuss further.