What is a Certificate of Origin for Film?

Anytime a film is to be distributed, especially if the distribution will take place overseas, there are many deliverables that must be accounted for beforehand. Beyond the technical requirements of the production, overseas distribution will require extensive documentation providing the starting point of the production as well as a number of legal components relative to the film. This includes having a certificate of origin for the film as well as a clean chain of title. These distribution deliverables are key requirements for an overseas release.

What is a Certificate of Origin for Film?

The certification of origin is one of several key deliverables required as part of any overseas distribution deal, but what is it exactly? The certification of origin is like a birth certification for the film providing where the film was shot.

And also offering key details as to whether or not the film was legally produced at the specified location. In short, the certification of origin for film proves that the film was produced in a location that the producer secured legal rights to film within.

Why is the Certificate of Origin for Film Important?

Distributors are going to look for a certificate of origin for film to verify that appropriate steps were taken, even from the very beginning of the production, to ensure that the film has a clean chain of title.

The certificate of origin for film is important particularly for filmmakers that use tax incentives to finance the production as it proves that the production was in fact filmed in the city or state that the filmmaker has claimed a tax credit in.

What’s Included in the Certificate of Origin?

The Certificate of Origin for film includes key details about the film, the production company. As well as the location in which the film was produced. It will be signed by a notary as well as by the licensor.

Once prepared it will generally contain the following details:

• The title of the film.
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• Name and address of the production company.
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• The name of the selling company.
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• Name of the Director.
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• The name of an important/recognized cast and crew.
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• Year of production as well as the release year.
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• The running time of the film.
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• Total length (in feet) of theatrical film.
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• The format the film is produced in.
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• Country of origin.
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• The nationality of the film.

In Summation

Although the certificate of origin for film is an incredibly short document (generally 1 page, and often just a single paragraph of text, it is incredibly powerful.

Distribution overseas will almost certainly require an original certificate of origin in order to seal the deal. From a legal perspective, the certificate of origin is like the birth certificate of the film. And it’s an absolute must for proving where a film was produced!