New county council and Norfolk Screen film office opens the area up to filming opportunities

Norfolk could soon play host to a range of exciting film and TV productions after the launch of a new programme to increase filming opportunities.

Norfolk County Council has awarded a two-year contract to Norfolk Screen to represent the county as its official film office.

The combined spend by film and high-end television production (HETV) in the UK reached £6.27billion in 2022, the highest ever reported.

The two-year Norfolk Film Office pilot programme will look to proactively promote Norfolk as a location for TV and film productions, as well as act as the front door for any location enquiries to ensure the county capitalises on the growth of the sector.

The county council has said that any increase in economic activity for the area via additional filming activity will confirm the viability of a stand-alone film office.

Large-scale TV or film productions can generate an increase in business for a wide range of companies surrounding a filming location, including cafés, taxi companies, and accommodation businesseses.

The new scheme is expected to provide opportunities for local film companies to loan equipment or hire out studio space, and for local freelance film professionals from make-up artists to camera and sound technicians to have the opportunity to work closer to home.

Cllr Fabian Eagle, the county council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Numerous production companies have already featured our beautiful county in their drama and documentary footage over the years.

“If, together with the borough, district, and city councils, we can maximise our stunning natural and wide range of built resources with a county-wide film office that makes it easier for production companies to find and work with suitable locations.

“We achieve economic benefit for many other local businesses whenever a production team comes to the county, and for tourism businesses when viewers visit the location they have seen on screen."

Claire Chapman, managing director at Norfolk Screen, said: “We are delighted to partner with Norfolk County Council and the local authorities and other stakeholders and look forward to working together to ensure that productions think first about Norfolk when it comes to filming in the UK.

“The more productions we can support locally and from outside the region, the more we can help boost the local economy and create new jobs.”