Liverpool Film Office’s new Impact Report has revealed “record growth” in film and TV activity in the region since 2019.
Liverpool City Region’s film and TV industry saw more than 1,600 productions in the region “adding £150m the local economy and creating more than 5,000 jobs.”
High-profile productions shooting in Liverpool include The Batman, Clayface and House of Guinness.
Introduced in 2019, the Combined Authority’s £2.8m LCR Production Fund has supported 10 productions including This City is Ours, The Responder and Time which have received 19 industry awards including four BAFTAs and two International Emmys and added £24.5m to the city region economy, creating 861 indirect full time equivalent jobs and 56 trainee roles.
Managed by Liverpool Film Office with funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, development of The Depot – two purpose-built 20,000 ft² sound stages off Liverpool’s Edge Lane – has “massively enhanced” Liverpool’s production capacity.
The report that since its launch in 2021, The Depot has generated £29.1m in GVA (Gross Value Added) for the Liverpool City Region economy whilst encouraging broader industry development. The report highlights 15 new businesses which have either started up or expanded into the city region as a direct result of The Depot.
The next chapter includes the creation of the adjacent Littlewoods Studio Campus featuring six sound stages, ScreenLab Liverpool and post-production facilities. The project is expected to create 3,200 new jobs and generate £170m GVA, while providing education and training for young people.
National Lottery funding from the British Film Institute (BFI), LFO’s Action! skills programme offers free training and career development for people outside of further and higher education wanting to get into the screen industry. It has delivered 183 training opportunities and created 271 paid work opportunities with three-quarters finding employment on completion in departments across the industry such as camera, make up and locations.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “The LCR Production Fund isn’t just bringing millions into our local economy – it’s opening doors for local people, giving them lifechanging opportunities and helping them get a foot in the door of industry. This is why we’ve backed projects like This City Is Ours – alongside the world class talent and infrastructure we’ve got here, we’re making sure our region is always in the conversation when it comes to making high-quality productions.”
Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council said: “The last few years have marked a transformative chapter in Liverpool Film Office’s history, but this is just the beginning.
“Not only has it put us on the map as the go-to filming location outside the capital, but it has also delivered significant opportunity for, and investment in, our people and our communities.
“Looking to the future, the screen industry will continue be a powerful tool for economic regeneration, skills development, and community engagement throughout our city.”
Lynn Saunders, Head of the Liverpool Film Office said: “We have a commitment to economic regeneration, skills development, community engagement, and sustainable growth, with plans to further elevate Liverpool’s role in the UK’s screen industry.
“We have shown remarkable adaptability and growth, particularly given the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. We rose to those challenges. The Batman was the first UK production to resume filming in a city setting during Covid and our work established comprehensive Covid safety protocols that became industry standard.”
Jon Creamer
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