British Film Commission sets region as latest official location for inward investment

The West Midlands (Birmingham) has been made the UK’s eighth official regional production hub for scripted inward investment film and high-end TV.

Having served as production base for Peaky Blinders and its forthcoming revival for series seven and eight, the West Midlands can now receive official hub status.

The British Film Commission (BFC) hub designation is given to regions that meet the criteria of having studio or stage space capable of supporting a film or high-end TV show, access to a skilled local crew base, and evidence of successfully accommodating a major scripted title.

Other designated hubs are in South-West England (Bristol); North-West England (Manchester and Liverpool); Yorkshire (Leeds); Northern Ireland (Belfast); Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh); Wales (Cardiff); and London & South-East England, contributing £5.8bn to the UK economy last year.

Chief executive of the BFC Adrian Wootton OBE called it a “major win for the region’s creative community”.

“Over the course of nearly 15 years, the region has steadily grown in strength and stature, building skills, infrastructure and reputation.

“With the West Midlands becoming an official regional production hub, our offer to the global film and TV industry now spans the length and breadth of the UK: wherever you base your production, you’re within a stone’s throw of world-class facilities, crew and talent, with access to one-of-a-kind locations and some of the world’s most stable, transparent and generous tax incentives,” he added.

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: “We are at the beginning of a journey, and we’ve got off to a great start. The West Midlands is always ambitious, and we believe we will create a global content making industry in our neighbourhood.”

In addition to the region’s new hub status, the BBC previously announced plans to establish its future regional headquarters in the Tea Factory in Digbeth.

A BBC-commissioned analysis forecasts that its recent investment in Digbeth and the West Midlands will generate £282m in economic benefit by 2031.

Jason Horton, chief operating officer for BBC Nations added: “The West Midlands has a rich storytelling heritage and a wealth of creative talent, and this recognition helps to cement its place as a world-class centre for film and TV production.

“The BBC has already brought major productions to the region, demonstrating our commitment to working with partners across the industry to support the continued growth of the West Midlands’ screen sector and help unlock its full potential.”

This article was originally posted on our sister site, www.broadcastnow.co.uk.