Behind the Scenes: The Legal Intricacies of ‘Kneecap’

How do you manage the legal complexities of a film with 11 financiers, multiple international stakeholders, and a band known for controversy? This was the challenge faced by our Northern Irish member, Millar McCall Wylie, while working on Kneecap—the groundbreaking Irish-language film that has not only shaken up the industry but is now a six-time BAFTA nominee and narrowly missed out on two Oscar nominations.  Millar McCall Wylie represented the lead producer on the film and another Multilaw member, Philip Lee, represented the Irish co-producer.

A Legal Balancing Act

Like a lot of independent films shot in the UK and Ireland, Kneecap was financed through a patchwork of funding bodies spanning the UK, Ireland, and beyond including the British Film Institute, Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Ireland, and a French sales agent. Each of these financiers had their own requirements, rights, and expectations, making the financing process akin to “herding cats,” as our member aptly put it.

The film also availed of tax credit reliefs in both the UK and Ireland, and extreme care needed to be taken to ensure that the project qualified for both. 
One of the biggest hurdles? Negotiating deals that satisfied all of the stakeholders, some of whom had conflicting requirements and some of the seemingly intractable conflicts took weeks of meticulous legal wrangling to resolve.

The Unexpected Legal Challenges

Beyond financing, Kneecap presented unique legal challenges. Part of the set was based in a former Catholic school, leased from the local diocese. However, the standard contract included a morality clause prohibiting anything “pornographic or glorifying drug use”—not exactly ideal for a film about a provocative rap group featuring a lot of drug taking. This led to delicate negotiations to ensure compliance without compromising artistic integrity.

Additionally, rights acquisition was no small feat. Despite the band performing their own songs, their publishing rights were held by a record label, necessitating intricate agreements with multiple contributors and publishers.

Why Northern Ireland is a Hollywood Magnet

Beyond Kneecap, Northern Ireland has become a hub for high-profile productions, from Game of Thrones in the past to upcoming Hollywood films like The Death of Robin Hood, starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer. Our Multilaw member attributes this boom to:

• World-class infrastructure – Studios, editing facilities, and experienced crews are all readily available.
• Financial incentives – Smart tax structuring allows productions to benefit from both UK and Irish tax credits.
• Diverse locations – From beaches to forests, all within an hour’s drive of the studios.

With Northern Ireland emerging as a go-to location for major productions, Multilaw’s expertise in entertainment law is proving indispensable—ensuring films like Kneecap make it from script to screen without legal roadblocks.