EIF Injects $26 Million Into European Film and TV Production

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As a dedicated advocate for nurturing European creative content, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve pledged €25 million ($26.2 million) towards the Finland-based IPR VC Fund III. This investment is part of my commitment to boosting the production of exceptional European films and TV series. With this injection, the fund now surpasses a significant milestone of €100 million ($105 million). I’m excited to see what innovative stories will emerge from this collaboration!

Based in Helsinki, IPR.VC has been a significant force in the media investment sector since 2015. Over the past six years, they’ve managed to secure €200 million ($209.8 million) from Nordic professional investors across three funds. This capital has enabled them to finance more than 50 productions worldwide. Many of these projects have gained attention at international film festivals. Some recent productions backed by IPR.VC include the upcoming movie “Mother Mary,” starring Anne Hathaway, as well as “The Legend of Ochi,” which was a hit at Sundance, Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” and Matt Johnson’s “Blackberry,” which competed at Berlin.

Thomas Östros, the Vice-President of EIB, stated that our investment in IPR.VC Fund III demonstrates our dedication to nurturing innovation and artistic expression within Europe’s audiovisual industry. This support empowers European content creators to keep their intellectual properties and produce top-tier content for international viewers, thereby bolstering Europe’s cultural and creative industries.

IPR.VC Fund III, which has been authorized by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, is looking to bring in additional investors and achieve its goal of €120 million ($125.8 million) by its scheduled closing on March 31, 2025. This fund plans to invest primarily in creating international movies and TV shows with a strong European influence, aiming to fill a gap in the market by securing new investments for the development and production stages of audiovisual projects.

Tanu-Matti Tuominen, Co-Founder and Head of Investor Relations at IPR.VC, stated, “Instead of the worn-out phrase about funding ‘passion projects,’ this substantial commitment from the EIF underscores the increasing and sustained importance of high-quality film and TV content in Europe and worldwide. Additionally, it demonstrates the swift benefits that come with portfolio diversification and non-correlation in an investor’s alternative investment portfolio. This investment is not only substantial but also well-timed.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) invests in line with its purpose, which is to bolster the competitive edge, digital freedom, and strategic self-reliance of the European Union’s cultural and creative industries. This venture falls under the European Commission’s InvestEU MediaInvest equity investment tool, designed to attract private investors and facilitate €400 million ($419.5 million) worth of investments in Europe’s audio-visual sector from 2022 to 2027.

Key features of IPR.VC Fund III include:

  • Strategic focus: The fund will target the production of international movies and TV series with a strong European focus, addressing a market gap in securing new investments for the development and production phases of audiovisual projects.
  • Innovative model: IPR.VC Fund III will develop several portfolios of projects – called “slates” – with strategic partners such as production and distribution companies.
  • Support for European productions: The fund will provide audiovisual producers with access to additional sources of funding beyond traditional schemes, helping to retain intellectual property and commercial rights within Europe.
  • Experienced management team: The fund is managed by a team with substantial experience in the media and entertainment sector, ensuring robust financial analysis and support for production companies.

IPR.VC has established enduring strategic partnerships with prestigious movie production firms like A24, XYZ Films, and prominent European studios such as mk2 Films and Gigglebug Entertainment. These collaborations have significantly bolstered IPR.VC’s standing as a major independent film and TV investment fund manager in Europe.

With this robust support, IPR.VC Fund III is poised to invest in a wide variety of audiovisual ventures, offering European creators an alternative funding avenue beyond conventional methods. This move will aid in keeping intellectual property and commercial rights within Europe, thereby bolstering the cultural and creative sectors even more within the region.

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2025-02-27 13:19