A bold vision for driving growth and collaboration across the region’s thriving screen industries has been announced.
The Film Office Feasibility Study outlines a collaborative route to enhance the area’s appeal to the global film and television industry. The study proposes establishing a dedicated film office in the region to support high-profile productions, boost local businesses, and create a thriving screen ecosystem.
The UK screen industry has experienced rapid growth, with a record-breaking £4.23 billion in film and high-end TV (HETV) production expenditure in 2023. Demand for UK locations remain strong, and the region is uniquely positioned
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and board member of Solent Growth Partnership, was one of the speakers at the event. He said:
“The region has immense potential to become a key player in the UK’s booming screen industry. With growing global interest in UK production, our focus is to leverage this opportunity, fostering a region that attracts top-tier productions and champions local talent.
“The Solent Screen Support Feasibility Study provides an invaluable framework to shape a vibrant screen sector, and we’re looking forward to working with local partners on this transformative journey in bringing this vision to life for the locality”.
Work on this feasibility study will be managed and funded by the Solent Growth Partnership, the successor to the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, formed by a collaboration of Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton councils. It was commissioned with Creative Network South.
Chris Curley, Head of Nations and Regions Member Relations and Projects at PACT, the UK’s screen sector trade body representing and supporting independent production and distribution companies, also addressed attendees. He said:
“It is a time of change in the creative industries, and we are looking forward to presenting the opportunities for growth in the film and TV sector, which can benefit the region and, most importantly, the wider economy with jobs and investment by supporting its creative entrepreneurs”.
Jo Nolan, Managing Director of Screen South, said:
“This meeting was an exciting opportunity for the dynamic Solent Screen industries and stakeholders to showcase the region’s screen sector potential in an increasingly competitive global market.”
Demand for UK locations remain strong, and the Solent region is uniquely positioned with historic and modern filming sites in the Isle of Wight, New Forest, Portsmouth, and Southampton on productions such as The Crown, Les Misérables, Napoleon, and Tenet.