Get Started Producer: Legal Contracts for Independent Film and TV Producers

Producing a film or television project means managing a complex web of agreements with writers, directors, crew, talent, locations, financiers, distributors and broadcasters. Getting the contracts right from the start protects your rights, your budget and your relationships throughout the production.

Get Started: Producer provides the core legal documents for independent producers working in film and television, drafted and reviewed by DANDI lawyers with specialist knowledge of Italian and international entertainment law.

Who We Work With

Independent film and documentary producers

Producers managing their own projects who need the rights in order before approaching financiers, broadcasters and festivals. See also our page on legal services for independent producers.

Production companies

Companies setting up co-production or co-development arrangements with Italian or foreign partners, under bilateral treaties or the European Convention.

Foreign producers

Producers working with Italian writers, directors, co-producers or locations, who need Italian contracts that hold up for their financiers and insurers, and advice in English. For clips and archive material, see clip and archive clearance in Italy.

First-time producers

Producers on their first project who need a reliable legal foundation from development onwards, without unnecessary paperwork.

What We Cover

• Certificate of authorship: a document certifying the authorship and original ownership of a screenplay or other creative work, typically required by financiers, broadcasters and co-production partners.
• Copyright assignment agreement: the contract transferring rights in a work to the producer; essential when acquiring rights from writers, directors or other creators.
• General partnership agreement: the terms of a co-production or co-development partnership between two or more producers or production companies.
• Merchandising agreement: a licence to produce and sell merchandise based on characters, titles or other elements of the production.
• Writer deal memo: a short-form contract confirming the key terms of a writer’s engagement at the early stages of development, before a full writer’s agreement is negotiated.

Co-Productions with Italy

Italy has one of the widest networks of film co-production treaties in Europe, with bilateral agreements across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. An official co-production gives the work dual nationality and access to the incentives of each country through the local partner. We draft and review co-production agreements in English or bilingual form, check treaty requirements on financial, artistic and technical contributions, and coordinate nationality recognition and the Italian tax credit. See our overview of Italy’s film co-production treaties.

Italy-Korea

On 7 September 2026 the Italian Minister of Culture and the Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed a bilateral film co-production agreement. Once in force, it will allow films produced only by Italian and Korean companies to be recognised as official co-productions, with access in each country to the same benefits as national films, including incentives, tax credits and the movement of crew and equipment. We follow the agreement for Italian and Korean producers preparing their first projects under the new framework.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Production Contracts

Depending on the scale and structure of your production, you may also need:

• Director agreements, including the moral rights provisions specific to Italian law.
• Co-production agreements for Italian and international co-productions, including bilateral treaty structures. See our guides on Italy-Balkans co-productions and the Italy-Canada treaty.
• Distribution and sales agreements: domestic and international distribution, minimum guarantees, VOD and streaming.
• PRCA registration with the Italian Public Cinematographic Register.
• Tax credit compliance: the contractual provisions required for Italian tax credit eligibility under the current decrees. See our 2026 guide to Italian tax credits and incentives.

FAQ

What is a chain of title and why does it matter?

The chain of title is the set of documents proving that the producer owns or controls all the rights needed to make and exploit the film, from the underlying work and screenplay to music and other contributions. Financiers, broadcasters, distributors and E&O insurers will ask for it before committing.

Do I need a written contract with the screenwriter?

Yes. Under Italian law the screenwriter is one of the co-authors of the film. A written agreement defining which rights are assigned, for which uses and for what payment is essential for the chain of title.

Can a foreign producer co-produce with an Italian company?

Yes, under Italy’s bilateral co-production treaties or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. The structure determines the nationality of the work and access to Italian incentives through the Italian partner.

Can Italian and Korean producers co-produce under a treaty?

Yes. Italy and South Korea signed a bilateral film co-production agreement on 7 September 2026. Once in force, films made by Italian and Korean companies alone can obtain official co-production status and the benefits of national films in both countries.

What is the PRCA?

The Public Cinematographic Register (Pubblico Registro Cinematografico e Audiovisivo) records rights and acts concerning Italian audiovisual works. Registrations are required in several funding and financing procedures and protect the rights holder against third parties.

Do you work in English?

Yes. We work in English, Italian and Spanish, and most consultations with foreign producers take place remotely.

Get in Touch

Fill in the form below to tell us about your project, or book a call directly online. We respond within 24 hours on business days.

→ Book with Claudia Roggero: claudiaroggero.youcanbook.me
→ Book with Donato Di Pelino: donatodipelino.youcanbook.me
→ WhatsApp: +39 345.717.14.66