Visualnet for Production Companies — Production Intelligence for film and TV procurement

Your market. Your regulatory framework.

The regulatory framework depends on where you produce and for whom.

Domestic production, international co-production or service producer — each profile has distinct regulatory obligations and one shared need: being able to document how each eligible production cost was contracted.

Domestic production

Many states offer film and TV tax credits. Each one sets its own rules.

Georgia, California, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois: each state programme sets which expenditure qualifies, how it is evidenced and who reviews it, and several require a report from an independent certified public accountant (CPA). If the production involves related entities, IRC §482 allows the IRS to adjust the price of those transactions when it is not the one independent parties would have agreed. If the company is listed in the US, its CEO and CFO certify each periodic report they file with the SEC and their responsibility for the controls (SOX §302).

Regulatory framework

28+ state tax credit programs IRC §482 (IRS) SOX §302 / §404 FCPA (DOJ/SEC)

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. Your finance team can provide it to its auditors and in support of the state credit claim as documentation of how each BTL cost was contracted. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer. Over 97,000 film and TV suppliers.

International co-productions

Your European co-producer controls a budget you co-finance. The DOJ can reach into that budget.

When an American production company co-produces with a European partner seeking local tax incentives, it co-finances a budget controlled by a foreign entity. The authority granting the incentive can check that the costs are real. For the company to be liable for an improper payment made through a third party, the FCPA requires that it knew, or was aware of a high probability, that it would occur; the law provides no defence for having had controls, and the DOJ and the SEC take the compliance programme into account when deciding whether and how to act.

Regulatory framework

FCPA (DOJ/SEC) IRC §482 SOX §302 / §404 Transfer pricing documentation

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. It also documents your European co-producer's procurement, and your finance team can provide it to its auditors. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer.

Service production for US studios

£5.5B market

You control the budget your American client's auditor will review.

The United Kingdom is one of the main destinations for Hollywood service production: in 2025, inward investment in film and high-end TV totalled £5.8 billion (BFI). If your company and the American studio are related entities, IRC §482 allows the IRS to adjust the price of the transactions between them. Purchases from independent suppliers are not related-party transactions, although they can count as costs when setting that price. Section 7 of the Bribery Act makes a company liable when a person associated with it bribes for its benefit, and allows it to defend itself by proving that it had adequate procedures in place to prevent it.

Regulatory framework

UK Bribery Act 2010 (SFO) Adequate procedures IRC §482 (IRS) FCPA (DOJ/SEC) SOX §302 / §404

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. You and your client can provide it to your auditors as documentation of the procurement process. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer.

Domestic production

HMRC's AVEC. BFI certification. UK Bribery Act. Three different frameworks.

Since 1 January 2024, the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) replaces Film Tax Relief and High-End TV Tax Relief. It requires at least 10% of core expenditure to be used or consumed in the UK, and the credit is calculated on that UK expenditure, capped at 80% of total core expenditure. It is administered by HMRC. The BFI certifies that the work is British (cultural test), which is a condition of the credit; the expenditure is reviewed by HMRC. Separately, section 7 of the UK Bribery Act 2010 makes a company liable when a person associated with it bribes to obtain or retain business or an advantage for the company; the law allows it to defend itself by proving that it had adequate procedures in place to prevent it.

Regulatory framework

HMRC HETV Tax Relief BFI Film Tax Relief 80% qualifying spend test UK Bribery Act 2010 (SFO)

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. The production can provide it to its auditors and in the review of the credit as documentation of each cost line. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer.

International co-productions

Your co-producer can be your associated person if it performs services for you. If it bribes for your benefit, section 7 of the Bribery Act reaches you.

When you co-produce with an American, European or international partner, that partner is an associated person of your organisation only if it performs services for it or on its behalf; this is decided by the circumstances of each case (section 8 of the UK Bribery Act 2010). If an associated person bribes to obtain business or an advantage for your organisation, the SFO can investigate your organisation. The law allows the company to defend itself by proving that it had adequate procedures in place to prevent it.

Regulatory framework

UK Bribery Act 2010 (SFO) Associated person doctrine Adequate procedures defence

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. It also documents your co-producer's procurement, and your organisation can provide it to its auditors. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer.

Domestic production

You produce for the national market. The AEAT can review every line item.

Art. 36.1 LIS, the Canary Islands incentive or the foral tax regimes: in any case, the AEAT —or the Foral Treasury— can check that the expenses in the base are real and justified —as a rule, with an invoice— and, where there are related parties, that they are valued at market. Whatever is not justified can be removed from the base, with late-payment interest and, where applicable, a penalty. The Spanish Criminal Code (Art. 31 bis, as worded by Organic Law 1/2015) can hold the company liable for a tax offence —evaded tax above €120,000 (Art. 305)— committed for its benefit by its directors or, where there has been a serious breach of supervision and control duties, by its employees. An effective prevention model can exempt it.

Regulatory framework

Art. 36.1 LIS REF Canario (50%+10%) Haciendas Forales ICAA AEAT / Haciendas Forales LO 1/2015 Art. 39.7 LIS (contrato de financiación) AIE (Agrupación de Interés Económico)

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and a qualified eIDAS time stamp, which enjoys the presumption of the accuracy of its date and of its integrity (Art. 41.2 and, in Spain, Art. 326.4 LEC). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. The production company can provide it to the AEAT or the Foral Treasury and, when an investor finances the production under Art. 39.7 LIS or through an AIE, to the investor, as documentation of how it contracted each line. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer. Over 97,000 film and TV suppliers.

Service producer

You produce for a foreign studio. Their regulatory exposure is also yours.

When a service production company works for a foreign studio and applies Art. 36.2 LIS or the Canary Islands incentive, the AEAT can check that the expenses in the base are real and justified and, where there are related parties, that they are valued at market. If the studio and the production company are related entities, IRC §482 also allows the IRS to adjust the price between them; and if an associated person bribes, the Bribery Act can reach the British studio. The Procurement File, with an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and a qualified eIDAS time stamp, documents the procurement process: you can provide it to the AEAT (Art. 41.2 and, in Spain, Art. 326.4 LEC), and the studio to its auditors. Where appropriate, the ROAC auditor issues their NISR 4400 report as an additional professional layer on that Procurement File.

Regulatory framework

Art. 36.2 LIS REF Canario (50%+10%) AEAT · ICAA IRC §482 (IRS) UK Bribery Act (SFO)

What Visualnet documents

The Procurement File for each production documents what was requested, from whom, which bids arrived, how they were compared and to whom each line was awarded —with its justification when the chosen bid is above the average—, under a proprietary methodology with a patent pending (U.S. Patent Application No. 64/036,591). It carries an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate and an EU-qualified time stamp under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS). Compared with two or three loose emails with quotes, it is a complete, independent and documented procedure. The production company can provide it to the AEAT (Art. 41.2 and, in Spain, Art. 326.4 LEC), and the foreign studio to its auditors. Where appropriate, a ROAC-registered auditor can issue an NISR 4400 report on that File as an additional professional layer.

Visualnet · Process

How it works for Production Companies

From the first request for proposals to the final award, with documentary evidence at every step.

The production company creates the project and assigns the Production Manager

The production company administrator creates the project, defines the production type (feature film, series, documentary...) and assigns one or more Production Managers to manage the requests for proposals. The history begins from this moment.

The Production Manager selects the budget line and launches the request for proposals

Each request is launched against a specific production budget line eligible for the tax incentive — camera, lighting, transport, post-production, etc. The Production Manager selects the corresponding activity from the catalogue, describes the technical requirements and publishes. The integrated AI assistant suggests improvements to the description to maximise response quality. On publication, the system automatically invites all active directory companies with that activity in the country of the shoot; those with access to Visualnet receive the notice by email.

Suppliers submit their bids in a confidential environment

Each supplier sees only their own bid — no competitor can see another's proposal. Bids can be edited until closing. The Production Manager receives real-time notification of each bid received.

At closing, the market benchmark is signed in the Procurement File

The platform automatically calculates and signs in the Procurement File the market range: minimum, below average, average, above average and maximum. The Production Manager accesses the comparison view. The benchmark is sealed at closing: the platform holds no permission to modify it and the database rejects the attempt.

Award with documented justification

The Production Manager selects the supplier. On closing the tender, the platform determines each offer's position against the market average; if the awarded offer stands above the average or at the maximum, the platform requires a written justification before confirming. The award is sealed and recorded in the history with its justification.

Exportable history for any review

Every action in the process is recorded with an identifier chained to the previous event. Exportable as PDF for auditors, tax incentive bodies, investors or any third-party reviewer.

See full technical documentation →

Pricing

No monthly fee. You pay when you use it.

The cost depends on the number of requests for proposals you publish and the eligible awarded technical production budget at project close.

Phase A · Development

15€ + VAT / request for proposals

For projects in development. Indicative market benchmark, without binding award.

✓ Automatic invitation to the companies of the activity in the country
✓ Receipt of non-binding bids
✓ Market benchmark (minimum / average / maximum)
✓ Complete process history
— Binding award
— Procurement File for NISR 4400 report (Phase B only)

Phase B · Pre-production

60€ + VAT / request for proposals

For real pre-production. Binding award, sealed benchmark and full Procurement File for NISR 4400 ROAC report.

✓ Everything included in Phase A
✓ Binding award with shoot date
✓ Signed and sealed benchmark at closing
✓ Mandatory justification above average or at maximum
✓ PDF export of history
✓ Procurement File ready for NISR 4400 ROAC report

Tech Fee on eligible awarded technical production budget

Applied at project close, on the sum of the eligible technical production budget awarded in Phase B. Calculated exclusively by the system.

Eligible awarded technical production budget	Tech Fee (Production Company)
Up to €2,000,000	3,00%
From €2,000,000 to €10,000,000	2,50%
From €10,000,000 to €30,000,000	2,00%
Over €30,000,000	1,50%

Minimum Tech Fee per project: €5,000 + VAT. Studios and broadcasters have a differentiated rate — see pricing for Studios.

Cost example — typical project

Item	Amount
4 Phase A requests for proposals	60€
6 Phase B requests for proposals	360€
Eligible awarded technical production budget	500.000€
Tech Fee 3.00% (Tier 1, up to €2M)	15.000€
Total cost (excl. VAT)	15.420€

For a project with €500,000 of eligible technical production budget, the cost equals 3.08% of the total — with full traceability and a documented history. For higher-volume projects, the Tech Fee decreases progressively to 1.50%. For lower-volume projects, the minimum Tech Fee per project applies: €5,000 + VAT.

Prepaid wallet model

Platform access is free. The minimum initial deposit is €500 + VAT. Requests for proposals are automatically deducted from the balance on publishing. Unused balance can be requested as a refund.

Payment methods

Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Bank transfer for amounts over €500. Processed via Stripe with PCI DSS certification.

You have a tax incentive.
Document how you contract.

The regulatory framework depends on where you produce and for whom.

Many states offer film and TV tax credits. Each one sets its own rules.

Your European co-producer controls a budget you co-finance. The DOJ can reach into that budget.

You control the budget your American client's auditor will review.

HMRC's AVEC. BFI certification. UK Bribery Act. Three different frameworks.

Your co-producer can be your associated person if it performs services for you. If it bribes for your benefit, section 7 of the Bribery Act reaches you.

You produce for the national market. The AEAT can review every line item.

You produce for a foreign studio. Their regulatory exposure is also yours.

The problem is not how you procure. It's how you justify it when required.

How it works for Production Companies

The production company creates the project and assigns the Production Manager

The Production Manager selects the budget line and launches the request for proposals

Suppliers submit their bids in a confidential environment

At closing, the market benchmark is signed in the Procurement File

Award with documented justification

Exportable history for any review

Structured procurement without extra bureaucracy

No monthly fee. You pay when you use it.

Tech Fee on eligible awarded technical production budget

Cost example — typical project

What we get asked most

Is there a monthly or subscription fee?

How is the eligible technical production budget calculated?

What happens if I cancel a request before publishing it?

How many bids are needed for the process to be defensible?

Do prices include VAT?

What happens the day you need the Procurement File

The Procurement File generates itself. To help safeguard your incentive.

You have a tax incentive.Document how you contract.

The regulatory framework depends on where you produce and for whom.

Many states offer film and TV tax credits. Each one sets its own rules.

Your European co-producer controls a budget you co-finance. The DOJ can reach into that budget.

You control the budget your American client's auditor will review.

HMRC's AVEC. BFI certification. UK Bribery Act. Three different frameworks.

Your co-producer can be your associated person if it performs services for you. If it bribes for your benefit, section 7 of the Bribery Act reaches you.

You produce for the national market. The AEAT can review every line item.

You produce for a foreign studio. Their regulatory exposure is also yours.

The problem is not how you procure. It's how you justify it when required.

How it works for Production Companies

The production company creates the project and assigns the Production Manager

The Production Manager selects the budget line and launches the request for proposals

Suppliers submit their bids in a confidential environment

At closing, the market benchmark is signed in the Procurement File

Award with documented justification

Exportable history for any review

Structured procurement without extra bureaucracy

No monthly fee. You pay when you use it.

Tech Fee on eligible awarded technical production budget

Cost example — typical project

What we get asked most

Is there a monthly or subscription fee?

How is the eligible technical production budget calculated?

What happens if I cancel a request before publishing it?

How many bids are needed for the process to be defensible?

Do prices include VAT?

What happens the day you need the Procurement File

The Procurement File generates itself. To help safeguard your incentive.

You have a tax incentive.
Document how you contract.