Solicitors form pact to promote UK film production

Solicitors in Essex and the City have joined forces to launch a film financing fund to promote the production of British films.

Colchester firm Birkett Long is acting as financial promoter to the Film Securities Finance Fund, while City firm Richards Butler provided the legal advice.

Accountants KPMG are also involved.

The fund gives investors the chance to finance British films.

Birkett Long partner Stephen Williams said: 'Rather than the traditional sale and leaseback method of film financing, this fund gives investors tax advantages and also lets them get involved with the setting up and production of the film.'

The firm's involvement arose through a film producer client who was seeking funding for several film projects.

'As a result, we are now involved with promoting the fund to a number of independent financial advisers,' he said.

Any business partner which introduces an investor to the scheme is paid commission.

Mr Williams was approached by the film producer because of his media law experience - 16 years as head of legal at Reader's Digest.

KPMG's involvement with the scheme came about from a local business contact, he added.

Victoria MacCallum