In her previous article, Finding the Right Entertainment Lawyer, entertainment lawyer Silvia Schmidt discussed the importance of securing legal counsel that truly understands the unique pressures and nuances of the creative industries.
2026 has so far sent me a diverse range of clients. My recent work has spanned everything from structuring complex international financing to negotiating delicate talent and producer exits.
As far as the film and television industry is concerned, 2026 really has been off to a rocky start. More mega-mergers have led to fewer commissions and the traditional commercial broadcasters continue to suffer from decreased advertising revenue. On the flip side, Cannes has shown that the indie section of our industry remains strong and vibrant, and I have seen many producer clients find innovative ways to raise money whilst decreasing budgets to lower-than-ever levels.
For producers, directors, and talent looking to navigate this evolving legal landscape, here is a look behind the scenes at some of the key projects and agreements I have advised on so far this year.
Structuring co-productions and securing film financing
Co-productions are the lifeblood of the modern film industry, but they require meticulous legal structuring, especially when crossing borders or involving multiple stakeholders. My recent work in this area includes:
- International documentary co-productions: Advising a documentary producer on an international co-production agreement between a UK-based producer, a US-based producer and the originating Canadian-based producer and director; as well as advising on and structuring a grant agreement from the DocSociety.
- Complex co-pro structures: Guiding a producer through the negotiation of both a director agreement and a multifaceted international co-production agreement within a highly complex IP structure.
- Charity and short films: Advising an originating producer and director on a co-production agreement for an impactful short film centring on a refugee story, which will be distributed and exhibited by partnering charities.
Development, options and rights management
Protecting intellectual property at the earliest stages is crucial for a project’s commercial viability, longevity and ultimate protection.
- Broadcaster development deals: Advising a rightsholder on the negotiation and structuring of a BBC development agreement.
- Life story and musical option agreements: Advising rightsholders and scriptwriters on negotiating option agreements, ranging from the delicate negotiation of an adaptation of a client’s life story to securing options for screen adaptations of musical theatre productions.
- Emerging talent agreements: Supporting an up-and-coming scriptwriter navigating their very first formal writer agreement, alongside structuring a Letter of Intent (LOI) for their attached directing services.
- Originating producers: A lot of the negotiations in all co-production agreements and structures involved questions around how to secure the rights of the originating producers whilst granting enough rights to the co-producers taking the project through to distribution.
Navigating exits and talent representation
Sometimes, creative partnerships run their course. Navigating a clean legal exit is just as important as drafting the initial deal to prevent future rights disputes.
- Producer exits and assignment agreements: Advising an originating producer on a complex assignment agreement when the remaining co-producers decided to continue the project without my client. This required ensuring fair compensation, a fair credit and a clean separation of rights.
- Talent Agency Terminations: Assisting an actor in cleanly terminating a talent agreement to part ways with their agent, allowing the talent to move forward in their career without lingering legal obligations and financial commitments.
Cross-disciplinary solutions: managing corporate insolvency in media
The business side of the creative industries can occasionally intersect with broader corporate challenges, requiring rapid, multi-disciplinary legal support. Excello boasts a wide range of expertise, advising on multiple specialist areas and sectors.
- Voluntary insolvency and rights administration: I recently assisted a client who was administering rights for a third party – unfortunately, this third party was putting their company through voluntary insolvency, which raised several questions around the administration of rights.
- By leveraging the full-service structure of Excello Law, I was able to seamlessly connect the client with our internal Insolvency team to protect their position and safely navigate the complex unwinding of those third-party rights.
Looking ahead
Whether you are negotiating co-production structures or agreements, securing development funding from a major broadcaster, or looking for strategic advice on talent agreements, sourcing experienced legal guidance is essential to protecting your commercial and creative interests.
If you have a project in development, pre-production, or need strategic entertainment law advice, feel free to reach out to discuss how we can structure and protect your next project.
