Film and TV Briefing: Friday 6 February 2026
Read more
Overview
We advise on all the legal and related issues involved in the development, production and exploitation of feature films and television programmes, and the carriage of content through both traditional and newer methods of distribution.
We pride ourselves on always giving comprehensive, practical and relevant advice that is steeped in our knowledge of the industry and meets our clients’ commercial needs.
Many of our lawyers have in-house experience and really understand the pressure on production companies, producers, executives and in-house lawyers. Our clients range from individual producers and production companies to banks and other financiers, distributors and exhibitors, broadcasters, and talent. We have experience in all genres, including drama, factual and animation, and we are happy working at all budget levels.
Expertise
Our areas of expertise include the following:
- Drafting and advising on option agreements and development deals
- Writers agreements
- First look deals
- Advising on structuring co-productions
- Advising on international co-production treaties, including tax incentives, subsidies and grants
- Shareholder agreements
- Joint ventures and EIS
- Equity finance and bank financing (both pre-sales and debt)
- Drafting and negotiating all talent agreements, including director, producer, artist and composer agreements
- Chain of title and E&O and clearance reports
- Advising on sales agency agreements and distribution deals
- Advising on all aspects of carriage and regulations, including Ofcom channel applications, VOD notifications, content and Ofcom codes
- Carriage deals for cable, satellite, IPTV and mobile
KEY CONTACT
KEY CONTACTS
Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the film and TV business and deliver high-quality, pragmatic and commercial advice.
Jonathan Blair
Partner
Jonathan Blair
Partner
Simkins provides a great range of experience and skills within the division so all areas of film production are covered.
Simkins have an excellent media practice constantly evolving with the changes in our industry.
They take a sensible pragmatic approach to a contentious situation. Their legal analysis of the issue is good and they provide a number of options to me as the client as to how to move forward.
Simkins has extensive and practical knowledge of the inner workings of the music and film industry. The lawyers are extremely commercial and have a very sophisticated approach.
The team at Simkins has an amazing knowledge of the film industry and is also speedy to respond and react with a very good work ethic and attitude.
They are a phenomenal team. As a first timer in the film business, their expertise and knowledge was second to none, they advised me across many processes which I would’ve been completely lost in otherwise. They’re also very approachable and always up to the task, they all made it feel very safe and comfortable.
.jpg)
