SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1F6Certification of British films for purposes of F70audiovisual expenditure credit and film tax relief

Sections 3, 5 and 6.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F6

Sch. 1 heading substituted (1.1.2007) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 53(1), Sch. 5 para. 16; S.I. 2006/3399, art. 2

F70

Words in Sch. 1 heading inserted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), Sch. 2 para. 2(3)(a) (with Sch. 2 paras. 16(1), 17-25)

Preliminary

F81

1

In this Schedule—

  • “ film ” includes any record, however made, of a sequence of visual images that is capable of being used as a means of showing that sequence as a moving picture;

  • F71“film production company”, in relation to a film, means a company that is the production company for the film for the purposes of Part 14A of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (see section 1179DP of that Act) or the film production company in relation to the film for the purposes of Part 15 of that Act (see section 1182 of that Act).

2

For the purposes of this Schedule each part of a series of films is treated as a separate film, unless—

a

the films form a series with not more than 26 parts,

b

the combined playing time is not more than 26 hours, and

c

the series constitutes a self-contained work or is a series of documentaries with a common theme,

in which case the films are treated as a single film.

3

References in this Schedule to a film include the film soundtrack.

4

For the purposes of this Schedule a film is completed when it is first in a form in which it can reasonably be regarded as ready for copies of it to be made and distributed for presentation to the general public.

F10Applications for certification

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F10

Words in Sch. 1 para. 2 heading substituted (1.1.2007) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 53(1), Sch. 5 para. 18; S.I. 2006/3399, art. 2

F92

1

The film production company may apply to the Secretary of State for the certification of a film as a British film.

2

The application may be for an interim or final certificate.

3

An interim certificate is a certificate granted before the film is completed that the film, if completed in accordance with the proposals set out in the application, will be a British film.

4

A final certificate is a certificate granted after the film is completed that the film is a British film.

5

The applicant must—

a

produce to the Secretary of State such books or other documents relating to the application, and

b

provide the Secretary of State with such other information with respect to it,

as the Secretary of State may require for the purposes of determining the application.

6

The Secretary of State may require information provided for the purposes of the application to be accompanied by a statutory declaration, by the person providing it, as to the truth of the information.

F12Certification and withdrawal of certification

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F12

Words in Sch. 1 para. 3 heading substituted (1.1.2007) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 53(1), Sch. 5 para. 19; S.I. 2006/3399, art. 2

F113

1

If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the requirements are met for interim or final certification of a film as a British film, he shall certify the film accordingly.

2

If the Secretary of State is not satisfied that those requirements are met, he shall refuse the application.

3

An interim certificate—

a

may be given subject to conditions, and (unless the Secretary of State directs otherwise) is of no effect if the conditions are not met;

b

may be expressed to expire after a specified period, and (unless the Secretary of State directs otherwise) ceases to have effect at the end of that period; and

c

ceases to have effect when a final certificate is issued.

4

If it appears to the Secretary of State that a film certified by him under this Schedule ought not to have been certified, he shall revoke its certification.

Unless the Secretary of State directs otherwise, a certificate that is revoked is treated as never having had effect.

British films for purposes of the Schedule

F24

F131

A film is a British film for the purposes of this Schedule if it passes the relevant cultural test (see paragraph 4A, 4B or 4C).

F604

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for films to be treated as British films for the purposes of this Schedule if they are made in accordance with the terms of any agreement between Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and any other government, international organisation or authority.

6

This paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 5 (excluded films).

F74A

1

The cultural test for a film other than a documentary (see paragraph 4B) or an animation (see paragraph 4C) is as follows.

2

Subject to sub-paragraph (7), a film passes the cultural test if it is awarded at least F2118 points in total.

3

Up to F2218 points shall be awarded in respect of the content of the film as follows—

a

up to 4 points depending on the percentage of the film that is set in the F61United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

4 points for at least 75%;

ii

3 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%;

b

up to 4 points depending on the number of the characters depicted in the film that F23are qualifying persons as follows—

i

if there are more than three characters depicted in the film, 4 points if two or three of the three lead characters F23are qualifying persons or, if only one of the three lead characters F24is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

ii

if there are only three characters depicted in the film, 4 points if two or three of them F23are qualifying persons or, if only one of them F24is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

iii

if there are only two characters depicted in the film, 4 points if both of them F23are qualifying persons, 2 points if one of them is;

iv

if there is only one character depicted in the film, 4 points if he F24is a qualifying person;

c

4 points if the film depicts a F25qualifying story;

d

up to F266 points depending on the percentage of the original dialogue that is recorded in F27a language recognised for official purposes in the F62United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

F266 points for at least 75%;

ii

F284 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%.

4

Up to 4 points may be awarded in respect of the contribution of the film to the promotion, development and enhancement of F44one or more of the following—

a

British creativity;

b

British heritage;

c

diversity.

5

F29Up to 5 points shall be awarded in respect of work carried out in the making of the film as follows—

a

4 points if at least 80% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom (unless points are awarded under paragraphs (b) or (c) below, in which case nil)—

i

principal photography;

ii

visual effects;

iii

special effects;

b

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on either of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

principal photography;

ii

special effects;

c

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on visual effects is carried out in the United Kingdom;

d

1 point if at least 50% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

performing and recording the music score created for the film;

ii

audio post production;

iii

picture post production.

6

Up to 8 points shall be awarded in respect of the personnel involved in the making of the film as follows—

a

1 point if the director (or, if there is more than one, the lead director) is a qualifying person;

b

1 point if at least one of the scriptwriters (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead scriptwriters) is a qualifying person;

c

1 point if at least one of the producers (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead producers) is a qualifying person;

d

1 point if the composer (or, if there is more than one, the lead composer) is a qualifying person;

e

1 point if at least one of the actors (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead actors) is a qualifying person;

f

1 point if at least 50% of the cast are qualifying persons;

g

1 point if at least one of the heads of department is a qualifying person;

h

1 point if at least 50% of the production crew are qualifying persons.

7

A film that is awarded all the points available under sub-paragraphs (3)(d) (language), (5) (where work carried out) and (6) (personnel) does not pass the cultural test unless—

a

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(a) (setting),

b

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(b) (characters), or

c

it is awarded 4 points under sub-paragraph (3)(c) (story).

4B

1

The cultural test for a documentary is as follows.

2

Subject to sub-paragraph (7), a film passes the cultural test if it is awarded at least F3018 points in total.

3

Up to F3118 points shall be awarded in respect of the content of the film as follows—

a

up to 4 points depending on the percentage of the film that is set in the F63United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

4 points for at least 75%;

ii

3 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%;

b

up to 4 points depending on the number of the F32participantsF33... in the film that F34are qualifying persons as follows—

i

if there are more than three F32participantsF33... in the film, 4 points if two or three of the three lead F32participantsF34are qualifying persons or, if only one of the three lead F32participantsF35is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

ii

if there are only three F32participantsF33... in the film, 4 points if two or three of them F34are qualifying persons or, if only one of them F35is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

iii

if there are only two F32participantsF33... in the film, 4 points if both of them F34are qualifying persons, 2 points if one of them is;

iv

if there is only one F36participantF33... in the film, 4 points if he F35is a qualifying person;

c

4 points if the film depicts a F37qualifying story;

d

up to F386 points depending on the percentage of the original dialogue that is recorded in F39a language recognised for official purposes in the F64United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

F386 points for at least 75%;

ii

F404 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%.

4

Up to 4 points may be awarded in respect of the contribution of the film to the promotion, development and enhancement of F41one or more of the following—

a

British creativity;

b

British heritage;

c

diversity.

5

F42Up to 5 points shall be awarded in respect of work carried out in the making of the film as follows—

a

4 points if at least 80% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom (unless points are awarded under paragraph (b) or (c) below, in which case nil)—

i

principal photography;

ii

visual effects;

iii

research and development;

iv

special effects;

b

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

principal photography;

ii

research and development;

iii

special effects;

c

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on visual effects is carried out in the United Kingdom;

d

1 point if at least 50% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

performing and recording the music score created for the film;

ii

audio post production;

iii

picture post production.

6

Up to 8 points shall be awarded in respect of the personnel involved in the making of the film as follows—

a

1 point if the director (or, if there is more than one, the lead director) is a qualifying person;

b

1 point if at least one of the scriptwriters (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead scriptwriters) is a qualifying person;

c

1 point if at least one of the producers (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead producers) is a qualifying person;

d

1 point if the composer (or, if there is more than one, the lead composer) is a qualifying person;

e

1 point if at least one of the participants (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead participants) is a qualifying person;

f

1 point if at least 50% of the participants are qualifying persons;

g

1 point if at least one of the heads of department is a qualifying person;

h

1 point if at least 50% of the production crew are qualifying persons.

7

A film that is awarded all the points available under sub-paragraphs (3)(d) (language), (5) (where work carried out) and (6) (personnel) does not pass the cultural test unless—

a

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(a) (setting),

b

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(b) (F43participants), or

c

it is awarded 4 points under sub-paragraph (3)(c) (story).

4C

1

The cultural test for an animation is as follows.

2

Subject to sub-paragraph (7), a film passes the cultural test if it is awarded at least F4518 points in total.

3

Up to F4618 points shall be awarded in respect of the content of the film as follows—

a

up to 4 points depending on the percentage of the film that is set in the F65United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

4 points for at least 75%;

ii

3 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%;

b

up to 4 points depending on the number of the characters depicted in the film that F47are qualifying persons as follows—

i

if there are more than three characters depicted in the film, 4 points if two or three of the three lead characters F47are qualifying persons or, if only one of the three lead characters F48is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

ii

if there are only three characters depicted in the film, 4 points of two or three of them F47are qualifying persons or, if only one of them F48is a qualifying person, 2 points if he is the first or second lead, 1 point if he is the third lead;

iii

if there are only two characters depicted in the film, 4 points both of them F47are qualifying persons, 2 points if one of them is;

iv

if there is only one character depicted in the film, 4 points if he F48is a qualifying person;

c

4 points if the film depicts a F49qualifying story;

d

up to F506 points depending on the percentage of the original dialogue that is recorded in F51a language recognised for official purposes in the F66United Kingdom or an EEA state as follows—

i

F506 points for at least 75%;

ii

F524 points for at least 66%;

iii

2 points for at least 50%;

iv

1 point for at least 25%.

4

Up to 4 points may be awarded in respect of the contribution of the film to the promotion, development and enhancement of F53one or more of the following—

a

British creativity;

b

British heritage;

c

diversity.

5

F54Up to 5 points shall be awarded in respect of work carried out in the making of the film as follows—

a

4 points if at least 80% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom (unless points are awarded under paragraph (b) or (c) below, in which case nil)—

i

shooting;

ii

visual design;

iii

layout and storyboarding;

iv

visual effects;

v

special effects;

b

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

shooting;

ii

visual design;

iii

layout and storyboarding;

iv

special effects;

c

2 points if at least 50% of the work carried out on visual effects is carried out in the United Kingdom;

d

1 point if at least 50% of the work carried out on any of the following is carried out in the United Kingdom—

i

performing and recording the music score created for the film;

ii

voice recording;

iii

audio post production;

iv

picture post production.

6

Up to 8 points shall be awarded in respect of the personnel involved in the making of the film as follows—

a

1 point if the director (or, if there is more than one, the lead director) is a qualifying person;

b

1 point if at least one of the scriptwriters (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead scriptwriters) is a qualifying person;

c

1 point if at least one of the producers (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead producers) is a qualifying person;

d

1 point if the composer (or, if there is more than one, the lead composer) is a qualifying person;

e

1 point if at least one of the actors (or, if there are more than three, of the three lead actors) is a qualifying person;

f

1 point if at least 50% of the cast are qualifying persons;

g

1 point if at least one of the heads of department is a qualifying person;

h

1 point if at least 50% of the production crew are qualifying persons.

7

A film that is awarded all the points available under sub-paragraphs (3)(d) (language), (5) (where work carried out) and (6) (personnel) does not pass the cultural test unless—

a

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(a) (setting),

b

it is awarded at least 2 points under sub-paragraph (3)(b) (characters), or

c

it is awarded 4 points under sub-paragraph (3)(c) (story).

4D

1

In paragraphs 4A to 4C—

  • “cast” means all the actors and performers but not the extras who appear in a film;

  • “heads of department” has the meaning given by sub-paragraph (2);

  • “participant” means a presenter, narrator, subject or other person who participates and appears in a documentary;

  • “production crew” means all the persons directly involved in the production of a film who do not appear in the film;

  • “qualifying person” means a citizen of, or a person ordinarily resident in, F67the United Kingdom orF55an EEA state;

  • F56...

  • “special effects” means artificial techniques or processes, which are not visual effects, used to create an illusion in a film;

  • “visual effects” means digital alterations to a film’s images.

2

“Heads of department” means—

a

in paragraph 4A, the lead cinematographer, the lead production designer, the lead costume designer, the lead editor, the lead sound designer, the lead visual effects supervisor and the lead hair and makeup supervisor;

b

in paragraph 4B, the lead cameraman, the lead sound recordist, the lead editor and the lead researcher;

c

in paragraph 4C, the lead layout supervisor, the lead production designer, the lead character designer, the lead editor, the lead sound designer, the lead visual effects supervisor and the lead modelling supervisor.

3

F57For the purposes of paragraphs 4A to 4C—

a

a film is set in the F68United Kingdom or an EEA state if it is set in a country which is now part of the F68United Kingdom or an EEA state; and

b

a film depicts a qualifying story if the subject matter of the film or the underlying material on which the film is based is from the F69United Kingdom or an EEA state.

4

The amount of work that is carried out in the United Kingdom or elsewhere shall be determined—

a

for the purposes of F58paragraphs 4A(5)(a)(i) and (b)(i) and 4B(5)(a)(i) and (b)(i) (principal photography), by reference to the number of days spent on the work;

F14b

for the purposes of the rest of F59paragraphs 4A(5) and 4B(5) and paragraph 4C(5) (other matters), by reference to the amount of expenditure on the work.

5

No points shall be awarded under any provision of F15paragraph 4A(5), 4B(5) or 4C(5) (where work carried out) in respect of work the expenditure on which is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, insignificant in relation to the expenditure on all the work carried out in the making of the film.

F14 Excluded films

F15

F161

A film must not be certified as a British film for the purposes of this Schedule if parts of the film whose playing time exceeds 10% of the total playing time of the film are derived from a previous film, unless—

a

the two films have the same film production company or producer, and

b

the previous film has not been certified under this Schedule.

2

The Secretary of State may direct that sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to a film if in his opinion–

a

it is a documentary; and

b

its subject matter makes it appropriate for sub-paragraph (1) not to be applied.

F173

For the purposes of this paragraph—

a

the film soundtrack shall be left out of account;

b

“ producer ” means the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the making of the film are undertaken;

c

in relation to certification before the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Finance Act 2006, references to certification of a film shall be read as references to certification of the master negative, tape or disc of the film.

Ascertainment of labour costs and playing time

F36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Determination of requisite amount of labour costs

F47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power of Secretary of State to direct alteration of labour costs

F58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Determination of disputes

9

1

Any person who is aggrieved by F18any decision of the Secretary of State under paragraph 3 may, subject to rules of court, apply to the High Court, and the decision of that Court shall be final.

2

In relation to any person whose principal place of business is in Scotland, sub-paragraph (1) shall have effect as if for any reference to the High Court there were substituted a reference to the Court of Session.

Regulations and orders

10

1

The Secretary of State may make regulations—

a

prescribing the form of applications under paragraph 2;

b

prescribing the particulars and evidence necessary for satisfying the Secretary of State that a film is a British film for the purposes of this Schedule;

c

providing that any statutory declaration which is required by paragraphF192(6) to be made by any person shall be deemed to be properly made if it is made on his behalf by any such person as may be specified in the regulations.

2

The Secretary of State with the approval of the Treasury may by order make such modifications of any of the provisions of paragraphs 1 and F204 to 5 as he considers appropriate; and any such order may contain such incidental, supplemental and transitional provisions as he considers appropriate in connection with the order.

3

In sub-paragraph (2) “modifications” includes additions, omissions and alterations.

4

Any regulations or order under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument.

5

Any regulations under this paragraph shall be laid before Parliament after being made; but no order shall be made under this paragraph unless it has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.