In order to qualify for the UK’s creative sector tax reliefs, all films, animation and television programmes or video games must be certified as British through the cultural test or qualify as an official co-production.
The unit offers advice on qualification under the cultural tests, the UK’s bi-lateral co-production agreements and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production.
Find out about the tax reliefs.
Notice regarding turnaround times and updated application forms
Please note our current turnaround time is 18 to 20 weeks from receiving your application to issuing a certificate, we would encourage productions and companies to build these longer timeframes into their schedules when applying for the cultural tests. Please apply as early as possible if you are under time constraints. We have now launched the new cultural test and co-production application forms, you will need to create a new account to make an application. Once your account has been created you will be able to access the film, HETV, children's television, animation television and video game cultural test and co-production applications all from within your account. You can create an account and make an application using the 'Create account/Log in to account' tab below, or you can find it within each relevant cultural test and co-production tab below. As this is a completely new system to previous, you are unable to access any applications submitted through the old system.
Find out moreCreate account/Log in to account
Log inApply for British certification
Qualify through the cultural test or as an official co-production.
The cultural test for animation programmes
Qualify for tax relief through the cultural test for animation programmes.
Find out moreThe cultural test for children’s television programmes
Qualify for tax relief through the cultural test for children’s television programmes.
Find out moreThe cultural test for high-end television
Qualify for tax relief through the cultural test for high-end television.
Find out moreThe cultural test for video games
Qualify for tax relief through the cultural test for video games.
Find out moreCo-production
Qualify for tax relief as an official co-production for film, high-end television, animation and children’s television.
Find out moreCertification news
For live tweets from certification events and to read the latest news, follow Head of Certification Anna Mansi on Twitter.
Follow nowResources
How to get a BFI Certificate of Audiovisual Work
Getting a BFI Certificate of Audiovisual Work (which has replaced the EC Certificate of British Nationality) may give producers more opportunities to exhibit your production in Europe.
Find out moreInternational competent authorities
A list of contacts in countries where the UK currently has bi-lateral co-production treaties and signatories to the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production.
Find out moreNational and regional film agencies
A list of the UK’s national and regional film organisations.
Find out moreCreative Europe
The European Union’s funding programme for the audiovisual industry and creative sectors.
Go to website