Essex County Council is setting up a dedicated film office to promote the region as a film-friendly destination.

The film officer”s remit will include liaising with Creative UK and promoting the county to location managers. The announcement was made at a public meeting earlier this month.

Regional county film offices are standard in the UK but, for now at least, the Essex film office will remain in-house at the council. Neighbouring Suffolk launched its own, independent film office a few years ago: Film Fixer won the contract that was put out to tender and now runs the company.

Speaking at the meeting, Essex County Council”s marketing and business development manager Erica Gilson said: “Essex has some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in the UK and currently our coast is of particular interest to directors and location managers.

“We need to ensure that we’re getting Essex out there and that we’re at the top of the list of great places to film.”

Essex has seen a rise in the number of high-profile productions shooting in the locale recently. Apple TV”s The Essex Serpent, starring Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes, showcased the county”s coastline when filming began around 18 months ago.

The Essex Serpent image via Apple TV+.