These certificates enable projects to access the UK’s new tax reliefs, which are designed to support the UK creative industries and help attract inward investment. Certificates are now being issued to applicants for projects which qualify as British under either the cultural test or under one of the UK’s official co-production treaties which allow television. Applicants in receipt of a certificate can then apply for tax relief on any production spend incurred since April 1, 2013.

Among the first animated projects to receive a certificate are Calamity Island, Famous Flying Films and Mackinnon & Saunders stop motion comedy, and Sarah and Duck from Kattot Entertainment. Both projects are being made for CBeebies.

High end television projects which will also receive a certificate are By Any Means, a six-part crime drama by Red Planet Pictures; Death Comes to Pemberley, Origin Pictures’ three-part adaptation of PD James’ bestselling novel; and Remember Me, a three-part mystery from Mammoth Screen. All three projects are being made for BBC One.

“It’s been fantastic to see the first certificates issued this week for a host of exciting new UK projects,” commented Anna Mansi, Head of the BFI Certification Unit. “We want to let producers working animation and high end television know that the UK is open for business, and the BFI’s highly expert team is ready and waiting to take your call.”

Speaking about the issuing of the first certificates, Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey commented that “this is another landmark in the Government’s continued commitment to supporting the creative industries, a sector that continue to make an important contribution to economic growth and help bolster our position in the global race.”

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) policy advisers are currently finalising their guidance for the new reliefs in consultation with industry working groups and these will be published on their website shortly.