Toronto, Canada – In the high-stakes world of film and television production, assembling financing is often a complex puzzle. Even with tax credits, pre-sales, equity, and platform commitments in place, most projects still face one final challenge: a budget shortfall.
That’s where GTFSolutions (GTFS) comes in. As a leader in structured entertainment finance, GTFS is now expanding its Gap Financing Services to help producers bridge the final funding mile and bring their creative visions to life.
Gap financing is a flexible, production-friendly solution that helps close the difference between confirmed financing and the total production budget. GTFS provides customized gap loans based on projected receivables, sales estimates, or unsold territories, allowing producers to begin principal photography on time without sacrificing control or creative integrity.
What Is Gap Financing?
Gap financing refers to a loan extended to a film or TV production against the value of unsold distribution rights, such as territories not yet pre-sold or revenue streams not yet contracted. Unlike primary financing (e.g., tax incentives or pre-sales), gap financing covers the budgetary shortfall, usually between 10% and 30%, between a project and its production start date.
“Gap financing is the critical piece that gets productions across the starting line,” said Alexander Jean-Baptiste, CEO of GTFS. “We give producers the leverage to move forward, while protecting investors, lenders, and distributors from unnecessary risk.”
Case Study: International Co-Production Financed Through GTFS Gap Loan
In 2024, a six-part limited series co-produced by a U.S. streaming network and a U.K. studio was set to begin filming. With a total budget of £12 million, the producers secured tax incentives from both countries, pre-sales in North America and Europe, and equity contributions. However, a £2.5 million funding gap remained, primarily based on unsold rights in Asia and Latin America.
GTFS stepped in with a structured gap loan, secured by a completion bond and future international sales projections validated by an independent sales agent. The funding allowed the producers to start on schedule and negotiate additional sales during production.
“Without the GTFS gap facility, the project would have stalled,” said the producer. “They understood our distribution model, respected our timeline, and moved fast.”
Why Producers Use Gap Financing
Gap financing offers more than capital—it provides momentum. With productions becoming more global and fragmented, it’s common for a project to be 80–90% financed with committed funds, while still short of what’s required to greenlight the production.
Gap financing from GTFS helps with:
- Bridging the difference between the budget and confirmed financing
- Maintaining control of IP without additional equity dilution
- Leveraging future sales without waiting for deal closure
- Enabling timely production to meet seasonal or platform delivery deadlines
GTFS Gap Financing Features
GTFS structures gap loans with flexible terms based on:
- Projected revenues from unsold rights (TV, streaming, theatrical, foreign)
- Receivables from existing pre-sales and tax incentives
- Completion bonds and delivery contracts
- Third-party estimates from sales agents and distributors
- Repayment through waterfall structures at closing or distribution
Loans range from $500,000 to $20 million and are tailored to meet specific cash flow needs across development, production, and post-production stages.
Gap Financing for Eligible Projects
GTFS gap financing is ideal for:
- Scripted television series and limited series
- Feature films with commercial viability
- Documentaries and animation with international appeal
- Streaming content for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV
- International co-productions under official treaties
At least 70% of funding must be secured through credible sources, such as tax credits, pre-sales, or committed equity.
The GTFS Advantage
- Speed: Loans structured and closed in as little as 15–30 days
- Security: Risk managed through completion bonds, escrow, and legal oversight
- Flexibility: Repayment structures tied to sales windows and delivery milestones
- Credibility: Accepted by banks, studios, streaming platforms, and national film boards
- Collaboration: GTFS works directly with producers, entertainment lawyers, and brokers to design a financing solution that complements existing capital
“GTFS doesn’t just lend money—we help complete the puzzle,” said Sophia Brar, CFO of GTFS. “Gap financing is about solving the final hurdle between idea and execution.”
Partnering with Producers, Agents, and Sales Reps
GTFS collaborates with:
- Producers and production companies
- Film finance attorneys
- Sales agents
- Talent agencies
- Festival and market buyers
Through its Broker Assistance Program, GTFS offers:
- Referral commissions
- White-labeled financial proposal templates
- NDA-protected deal submissions
- Co-branded financing presentations
- Dedicated entertainment finance advisors
Contact GTFS for Gap Financing Today
If your production is ready to shoot but still missing critical financing, GTFS can help bridge the gap. Contact us for a confidential review and a customized funding strategy that moves your project forward.
📞 1-888-305-9992
📧 info@gtfsolutions.ca
🌐 www.GTFsolutions.ca
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Why Choose GTFSolutions?
At GTFSolutions, we combine global reach with personalized service to deliver strategic, secure, and scalable financial solutions. Here’s why producers and agents trust us:
- Experience and Expertise: Over 115 years of collective knowledge in media finance, banking, and international funding
- Creative and Commercial Strategy: Financing built around real-world production needs and distribution models
- Client-centred Approach: Fast decisions, flexible structures, and ongoing support
- Global Footprint: Active in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean
- Comprehensive Services: Gap Financing, Completion Bonds, Secondary Lending, Escrow, SBLCs, Proof of Funds, and more