A popular destination for financiers and production clients alike, Fieldfisher fields a strong media finance practice that draws on its international network to advise on multijurisdictional deals, including international media finance transactions. The team has been particularly active in the structuring of co-financing and co-production deals, but its wide-ranging expertise in the sector also extends to M&A involving the film and TV industries and media-related tax issues. Co-head Stephen Saltzman handles a mix of international distribution, co-production and co-financing transactions. Fellow co-leader Carlton Durrant focuses on M&A, joint ventures and fundraising matters. Tim Johnson is a longstanding expert in media finance, with over 30 years’ experience in advising US clients on complex film and TV finance structures and rights licensing arrangements. Senior associate Alice Taylor works closely with Durrant on deal structures for corporate acquisitions of film and TV production companies.

Combining expertise in all media sub-segments, Harbottle & Lewis LLP is capable of handling high-value deals – including debt, equity and tax-related financings – for projects and companies across film, TV, gaming, music, and theatre. Financiers and producers alike regularly seek the firm’s assistance with fundraising. A reference for film and TV financing, production and distribution matters, Abigail Payne is an expert in international financings, and often advises on the structuring of co-productions. Other key team members include Charles Lévêque, who focuses on corporate finance within the media sector, and Jonathan Berger, who assists with the development, acquisition, production, financing and distribution of multiple forms of media.

Lee & Thompson LLP‘s media finance practice has considerable experience in assisting banks with the financing of film and TV productions. Other types of financiers - including private equity firms, providers of post-equity finance, as well as post house and non-bank financiers - also turn to the team for assistance with media finance transactions as do producers, with the group often acting as production counsel on films. Sam Tatton-Brown leads the practice and is the go-to for film and TV financings. Christos Michaels assists finance clients with film-related financing issues. Nicki Parfitt represents a mix of financiers, sales agents and production companies, while Johan Ewing advises on the setting up and structuring of film and TV companies and projects. Sarah Cundall is the key associate to note, whose areas of expertise cover the financing, development, production and distribution of film and TV productions. Anwen Griffiths left the firm in March 2024.

Sheridans excels in advising financiers, production companies and studios on media financing matters within the film and TV sectors. The team is skilled at handling complex financing structures – including co-financing, multi-party financing and slate financing – for major productions. Media finance specialist James Kay acts for an impressive client base comprised of investment funds, US and European banks and award-winning film producers. Jacqueline Hurt is another key member of the media finance team, who has recently assisted major streaming services with the financing of unscripted and scripted projects and feature films. Peter McInerney is noted for his work on financing documentaries.

Home to a premier film and TV media finance practice, Wiggin LLP boasts strong capabilities across the development, production, finance, content distribution, and sales and acquisitions of content companies. With a strong following of UK and US clients, the group assists leading local and international studios as well as networks, platforms, financiers and distributors with the financing of major productions across the UK and Europe. Its base in Brussels make it well placed to handle international media financing matters. Charles Moore assists with financings for film and TV productions, while Michael Brader focuses solely on TV production deals. Matthew Dando concentrates on disputes work; Neil Gillard advises banks, broadcasters, film and TV distributors and sales agents; and Chris Hammond is a notable film and TV lawyer. Chris Hanson is a key member of the media finance team with extensive experience in representing Hollywood studios, banks, private equity funds and government bodies. Gráinne McKenna is the go-to contact for US studios, while film and TV finance specialist David Quli acts for financiers, producers and distributors on all financing aspects of the development, production and exploitation of films, TV, games and music.

Bird & Bird LLP has a versatile media and entertainment practice that assists clients from across all media subsegments - including digital services, music, film, TV and sports. In the media financing space, the team stands out for its experience in global sports rights deals with major sporting associations and clubs. The group has also been actively advising clients on financial services regulations within the advertising sector. Simon Fielder heads up the media corporate team and specialises in equity financing and M&A transactions in this sector. With a strong presence in the media, entertainment and sports segments, Claire Barker handles media finance matters for lenders and borrowers, specialising in sports deals. Joss Hargrave focuses on international financing transactions, often assisting lenders and borrowers on acquisitions and football finance.

CMS assists producers and financiers within the film and TV industries with production loan deals. The team’s wide-ranging expertise covers the drafting and negotiation of transaction documents – including media rights deals and M&A – as well as tax credit issues, and distribution and exploitation agreements. Sports financing is also at the core of the media finance practice. Victoria Gaskell, who advises production companies, distributors and platforms on a range of deals from joint ventures to publishing deals and M&A, leads the team alongside Paul Guite, who acts for international listed corporations as well as individuals in media transactions, including fundraisings, reorganisations, acquisitions and disposals. Rebekah Hayes, a key contact for major lenders within the film and TV sectors, leads the specialist production finance practice at the firm.

Led by Elle Todd in the UK and Steve Sessa in the US, the media and entertainment group at Reed Smith LLP has a strong international scope, and handles a number of cross-border transactions and licensing issues for technology and media clients. Gregor Pryor is a well-rounded media and entertainment lawyer, who assists with media financing matters in the music and technology industries. Renowned media finance partner Michael Maxtone-Smith specialises in film and TV financing deals, covering re-financing, contracts receivables purchases and revolving lines of credit. Sophie Goossens handles a mix of digital media matters, including sector-related financing transactions.

Media and entertainment specialist firm Simkins LLP fields a media finance practice which works closely with the film and TV team to advise on the financing of film and TV productions. Core areas of activity for the department include equity investments, and loan, security and inter-party financing arrangements in the media sector. Practice head Jonathan Blair excels in audiovisual matters, advising both producers and financiers on film and TV financings. Euan Lawson handles a mix of corporate and commercial matters, while corporate specialist Giao Pacey is a name to note for investors, producers, studios and talent. Ben Gisbey focuses on music-related transactions.

Gaming, music, film and TV clients turn to Latham & Watkins for assistance with content financing, development, acquisition and licensing deals. Patrick Mitchell and Rachael Astin jointly oversee the practice; Mitchell acts for sports governing bodies, corporates, financiers and investors in commercial transactions, while Astin centres her practice on advising US studios, international TV channels, and streaming platforms on transactional and regulatory issues. Private and public companies and financial investors regularly seek Mike Turner‘s assistance with video games rights. Former practice head Lisbeth Savill retired in January 2024.

Devoted to the independent film industry, Preiskel & Co LLP works with feature film and documentary producers, distribution and sales companies, rights acquisition companies and film financiers on an array of media financing matters. Practice co-head Hannah Leader, who has produced a large number of feature films and TV documentaries herself, advises producers and financiers on all aspects of film financing. Co-leader Peter Dally is a name to note for the financing, production and exploitation of content for feature films and TV. Audiovisual specialist Kami Naghdi, who joined the firm in November 2023 from Clintons, handles complex rights deals and financings. Maria Constantin advises on a wide range of film and TV matters, including fundraisings.