A new vision for driving growth and collaboration across the region’s thriving screen industries is set to be shared at Fareham College on Wednesday 11 December.
The 2024 Solent Screen Industries Cluster Meeting will bring together key leaders and stakeholders in the region’s film and TV sector to explore how to grow local screen businesses and create skills development pathways, employment, and cultural tourism.
The event will showcase the Film Office and Screen Development Agency Feasibility Study, an ambitious plan which outlines a collaborative route to boost the area’s appeal to the global film and television industry and establish a dedicated film office in the region to support high-profile productions, boost local businesses, and create a thriving screen ecosystem.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and board member of Solent Growth Partnership, is 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 has been commissioned with Creative Network South to highlight the importance of a regional film location agency which will streamline the process for national and international production companies to shoot on location.
Chris Curley, Head of Nations and Regions Member Relations and Projects at PACT, the UK screen sector trade body representing and supporting independent production and distribution companies is also a speaker. Chris 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.’
The event is open to all those interested or in any way related to the film industry and will explore options for empowering local screen businesses and creating pathways for skills development, employment, and cultural tourism. Speakers include Steve Pitt (Leader of Portsmouth City Council), Jo Nolan (Managing Director of Screen South), Chris Curley (Head of Nations and Regions Member Relations at PACT), Sue Beckett (Executive Director of City Eye), and Roy Hanney (Mission Director of DVMISSION 48 Hour Film Challenge).
Jo Nolan, Managing Director of Screen South, said: “This meeting will be 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”.
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 with historic and modern filming sites in Isle of Wight, New Forest, Portsmouth and Southampton on productions such as The Crown, Les Misérables, Napoleon, and Tenet.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure at Isle of Wight Council, said:
“Creative Industries are a high growth sector for the Solent economies, film making being of particular note. For instance, on the Isle of Wight we have our successful Film Wight (film office) and have been working to bring a much-needed film studio to the Medina, providing high quality facilities and skills. Coming together as a film industry region is perfectly timed, especially as we get “bolt on” economic impact from tourism in the form of “set jetting”.
Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council said:
“As chair of the Solent Growth Board, I’m delighted to support this fantastic opportunity for our region and to work with stakeholders in local government and the creative industries. The Solent and wider region has so much to offer the film and TV industry, from stunning coastlines to historic architecture. By fostering a thriving film and TV industry, we can create jobs, attract and retain talent, boost our local economy, and put the region on the global map. I’m excited to see the positive impact this could have on our communities and our places.”
To find out more about the event and to book your place go to our Events page.