Department for Culture Media and Sport
european community certificates of nationality
When a film meets criteria to be an EC film it is awarded an EC Certificate of Nationality.
Why are EC Certificates of Nationality important?
EC Certificates of Nationality are important because it may give you more opportunities to exhibit your production in Europe.
Some EC countries have quotas on the number of non-EC films exhibited in their countries, so an EC Certificate of Nationality can help you qualify for screen quota and get your film shown.
These certificates are of no use for tax relief purposes.
Queries and new applications for EC Certificates of Nationality should be directed to the UK Film Council (certification@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk) except for the following:
Requests and queries may be made in writing to the DCMS Film Certification Officer (thalia.baldwin@culture.gsi.gov.uk) in respect of -
- requests for copies of EC Certificates previously issued by DCMS; and
- inquiries as to whether an EC Certificate was issued prior to April 2007.
If you need more than one certificate
Send a covering letter with your application to request the number of certificates you need.
Film certificates from 1940 to 1985
For distribution of British films made from 1940 to 1985 it may be useful, apart from EC Certificates, to obtain a copy of a British film certificates from the Films Register. The Films Register is held by the Secretary of State at DCMS and requests for copy certificates should be made in writing, stating the film title and year of production, to the DCMS Film Certification Officer (thalia.baldwin@culture.gsi.gov.uk).
Film certificates from 1928 to 1985
British film certificates issued from 1940-1985 are also available for viewing on microfiche at the British Film Institute (BFI). The BFI’s Paper Store also has paper records of British film certification covering 1928-1985. These may be particularly useful for enquiring into the nationality of films from 1928 to 1940. Contact details and information about their services are on the British Film Institute (BFI) web-site.
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