Hollywood came to Yorkshire this week when top film and TV executives from America found out about the region’s growing film industry and visit locations.
The trip, organised by the British Film Commission and backed by UK Trade Investment’s Northern Powerhouse Fund, brought six key decision-makers from the States to give them overview of the region’s key personnel, facilities, studios and locations.
The initiative was part of the BFC’s efforts to encourage inward investment, boost employment and cement the UK’s status as the lead destination for world-class film and television production.
The executives visiting sites, studios and iconic locations featured in the likes of Peaky Blinders – filmed in part at Brookes Mill in Armitage Bridge – Houdini and Doyle and Harry Potter.
The BFC has also been highlighting other shows filmed in the Huddersfield area include police drama Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire, which included locations in the Colne and Calder valleys, and Jericho, filmed extensively in Huddersfield.
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The delegation, which included senior executives from Gaumont Television, HBO Films and Universal Cable Productions, got an insight into the region’s skills base and the UK’s creative sector tax reliefs which have helped the UK become a top destinations for global TV and film production.
Official figures show that inward investment film production spend in 2015 topped £1bn for the second consecutive year – the first time it has done so since records began. The figures also show a huge 20% leap on from the previous year for “high-end” television.
Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the BFC and Film London, said: “The north of England is home to an exceptional concentration of some of the country’s leading creative film and television companies, superb facilities and breathtaking locations.”
He added: “With the success of the tax reliefs helping grow local infrastructure, develop crew bases and nurture creative talent, it makes complete sense for us to be championing these regional creative industries on the global stage.”
