Paul Forrest is a London-based film production and finance consultant who helps producers fund, structure and grow their projects and companies. The work covers financing plans, SEIS and EIS investment, investor relations, governance and distribution strategy, from a first feature to a slate.
Producers often arrive with a strong project and a weak structure around it. The aim is a finance plan investors can follow, a company that qualifies for the incentives it relies on, and a clear route from development to delivery. Paul’s credits are listed on IMDb.
Where a film consultant helps
- Financing plans that combine equity, tax-incentivised investment, soft money, pre-sales and gap finance.
- SEIS and EIS eligibility, advance assurance and the risk to capital condition.
- Investor materials, introductions and deal structures that align producers and investors.
- Company governance and board advice for production companies that want to grow.
- Rights, consent and provenance where generative AI is used in production.
Further reading
Funding Your Film walks through financing from development to green light, and SEIS and EIS for Film explains how film companies can qualify for the schemes. Responsible AI Adoption in Media and Film covers chain of title and consent, and Importance of the Film Festival looks at festival strategy. The page on film industry advisory describes the wider service.
Frequently asked questions
What does a film production consultant do?
A film production consultant helps producers plan financing, structure the production company, prepare investor materials and plan distribution, so that a project can move from development to green light with its funding in place.
Can a film company use SEIS or EIS?
Often, provided it is a growth business with a slate or wider plans rather than a single-project vehicle, and it meets the risk to capital condition. SEIS and EIS for Film explains the tests. Producers should take tax advice on their own structure.
How is an independent film usually financed?
Most independent films combine several sources, typically equity, tax reliefs and incentives, pre-sales to distributors, gap finance against unsold territories and, for some projects, crowdfunding, with a completion bond where financiers require one.
Where are you based?
Paul is based in London and works with producers across the UK and internationally. Get in touch to talk about a project.
Book a conversation with Paul or read more about his background.
