Here in Berlin, Film London announced plans for the UK capital's first Production Finance Market, which will run October 22-23 in association with The Times BFI London Film Festival (Oct 17-Nov 1).

The two-day event in central London will bring together more than 100 film producers, and financiers from the UK, Europe and other international territories.

'There has been an emphasis on film finance out of the UK and this is a fantastic opportunity,' said Film London CEO Adrian Wootton. 'We want to welcome producers from all over the world, not just focusing on Europe.'

There will be a call for entries this spring and select experts will invited to attend. Projects will have to have at least 30% of producers' financing already in place and films must be planned to shoot in English. Projects from all territories will be eligible, but preference will be given to territories with official co-production treaties with the UK. Preference will be given to films with budgets over $489,387 (£250,000).

'It's not just like another co-production market,' Wootton said. 'It's about new and established talent mixing together.'

Financiers will include private equity partners, hedge fund managers, banks, tax funds and specialist film financiers. Broadcasters and distributors who pre-buy films will also be invited.

This market will have an emerging territories focus with at least two producers from China or India expected to attend.

The market will also include seminars, networking events and private pitch meetings.

LFF artistic director Sandra Hebron said that the Production Finance Market will improve the public-oriented festival's standing within the industry. 'We have a very strong commitment to maintaining and developing a strong collaboration with our colleagues in the industry,' she said. 'Joining with Film London as a partner makes perfect sense to us, it corresponds with what we've been doing to strengthen our industry directives.'

Attendees will also include producers selected by each of the UK's regional screen agencies: Screen South, South West Screen, Screen East, EM Media, Screen WM, North West Vision, Screen Yorkshire, Northern Media and the Film Agency for Wales.

The new market is also backed by UK Trade and Investment, the UK Film Council, PACT, the NPA, the London Development Agency, and Berlin-based consultancy peacefulfish.

As ScreenDaily.com reported earlier this week, Rome Film Fest's second Business Street industry event will run Oct 18-21, just a day before the London Production Finance Market kicks off. The Tokyo Film Festival (Oct 20-28) also hosts a co-production event, the Asia-Pacific Entertainment Market.

Film London will also continue to run the London UK Film Focus (June 25-28) which showcases about 40 UK features to 150 international buyers.

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