Completion Bond Requirements
Eligibility criteria, required documentation, and how to prepare your application.
To apply for a completion bond, the production must meet certain criteria and provide specific documentation. This page sets out what is required, why each element matters, and how to prepare.
Eligibility
Basic Requirements
Before submitting documentation, confirm that the production meets these basic requirements.
Production type
Feature film, TV series, animation, or documentary.
Budget
Minimum of 4 million euros, with a minimum strike price of 3 to 4 million euros.
Production company
Must be based in the EU or UK.
Financing
100% must be confirmed before bond issuance.
Complementary insurance
FPI, general liability, and E&O must be in place or arranged.
Documentation
What You Need to Submit
Script
The locked shooting script in its production-ready form. We assess feasibility against the proposed budget and schedule, not creative quality.
Budget
A detailed, line-by-line production budget covering above-the-line, below-the-line, contingency, bond premium, insurance, legal, and overhead costs.
Cashflow Plan
A month-by-month (or week-by-week during principal photography) breakdown of when money goes out and when financing comes in.
Production Schedule
The complete schedule from pre-production through delivery, including the day-out-of-days or stripboard for principal photography.
Key Personnel Contracts
Executed deal memos or contracts for director, producer, line producer, lead cast, and key department heads.
Financing Documentation
Signed agreements for every element of the financing plan: equity, bank loans, distribution advances, incentives, tax credits, and gap financing.
Distribution Agreements
Executed contracts with distributors covering territory, rights, delivery terms, payment schedules, and minimum guarantees.
Incentive Documentation
Approval letters, provisional certificates, and equivalent documentation for every government incentive included in the financing plan.
Complementary Insurance
Insurance certificates or broker confirmation letters for FPI, cast insurance, general liability, E&O, and any additional required coverage.
Common Issues
What Delays Applications
Based on our experience, these are the most frequent reasons applications take longer than necessary.
Incomplete Documentation
Submitting a partial package and adding documents over weeks extends the process. Compile a complete package before submission.
Unrealistic Budgets
Budgets that are clearly too tight for the script require revision. Specific areas of concern will be identified, but the producer must address them.
Unconfirmed Financing
The bond cannot be issued until all financing is confirmed. Applications submitted before financing is in place can only be assessed on a preliminary basis.
Missing Contracts
Key personnel contracts still in negotiation create uncertainty about the production's ability to proceed as planned.
Incentive Uncertainty
Government incentives that have not been formally approved, or that carry significant conditions, add risk to the financing structure.
Application
How to Apply
Contact Intectus
Reach out at info@intectus.de or through the contact page to discuss your production.
Provide a Brief Overview
Share the key details: production type, budget, timeline, and key team members.
Receive Preliminary Indication
We will provide an initial assessment of the production's suitability for bonding.
Submit Complete Documentation
Prepare and submit the full documentation package as described above.
Due Diligence Proceeds
Once a complete package is received, the formal review and evaluation process begins.
Start Early
The earlier you engage, the better. Six to nine months before principal photography is ideal. Early engagement allows time to identify and resolve potential issues before they become obstacles to bond issuance.
Ready to Start Your Application?
Contact us to discuss your production and learn whether a completion bond is right for your project.