Bid to transform area into UK's film capital

Bosses of the West of England hope to transform the region into the film industry capital of the UK amid a £4.5m funding boost.

The region, which includes Bristol and Bath, is already the country's third-largest screen hub, with huge series including Rivals, The Outlaws, The Other Bennet Sister and Young Sherlock already being filmed in the area.

The new grant scheme, Greenlight West, now aims to attract large productions by helping to cover associated costs, giving the West an edge over other locations.

Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, said: "With this new incentive, we're sending a clear message to the sector. We want you to make more magic here."

The scheme, launched by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), is forecast to generate more than 230 jobs, alongside supporting freelancers, local suppliers, and the wider screen supply chain.

Awards of between £50,000 to £500,000 will be available for "ambitious and commercially viable" screen productions that can demonstrate the impact they will bring in terms of local spend, employment, skills development and other benefits.

Unlike many other incentives offered across the UK, funding is non-recoupable.

Eligible applicants include incoming productions filming in the region, productions made or led by regionally based companies, and productions carrying out significant post-production work locally.

The region's Growth Strategy, launched in September 2025, identified the creative industries as one of five sectors expected to drive economic growth over the next decade.

The new production fund comes alongside separate plans to expand the region's screen infrastructure.

Bristol City Council has also launched a separate £6m bid to expand The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, where productions including Rivals and Broadchurch have been filmed.

Announcing the scheme at Bristol Old Vic earlier, Godwin described the West as "the place to be" for prospective producers.

"We're serious about ramping up our region's credentials as a filming hub even further, to grow this important sector and stimulate more spending, create more jobs and skills opportunities for local people," she said.

"We're here to help you invest, recruit, and train locally and we look forward to harnessing the power that your film and TV production can bring to the country's fastest-growing regional economy."

Rachel Drummond-Hay, chair of the Royal Television Society West of England, added: "Not only will the fund give companies based in the region an edge when it comes to pitching, tendering and financing new projects of scale, it will also help ensure talent stays in the region and new talent continues to be developed."

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