By Arron Kennon, Film & TV Editor
The Bristol Film Office, celebrating its 20th year of operation this month, has released its annual figures, revealing that the film and television production sector contributed £20.1 million to Bristol's economy during the 2022-23 financial year.
These figures demonstrate a resilient industry, with the economic impact remaining steady compared to the previous year (2021-22), which reached a decade-high of £20.8 million. In 2022-23, Bristol attracted £20,134,750 in inward investments from 220 recorded productions.
On 4th October, the Bristol film and TV production community came together to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Bristol Film Office's establishment. Founded in 2003 by the Bristol City Council, the organization was created with the goal of attracting, assisting, and fostering business development opportunities within the film and TV industry.
Over the past two decades, Bristol Film Office, in collaboration with The Bottle Yard Studios, has played a pivotal role in generating an estimated £322 million for Bristol's economy through TV and film production.
Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance, Governance, and Performance, expressed pride in Bristol's thriving film and TV production industry, citing it as a vital component of the local economy. He remarked:
'Our city is one of the most competitive filming cities outside of London. Over the past 20 years, Bristol Film Office has played a vital role in attracting and assisting high levels of filming on location in Bristol, generating over £2.1 million of income for the council. The latest annual figures demonstrate the continued value of the film and TV industry for our city, and the ongoing success of our filming facilitation services.'
Senior Film Manager Laura Aviles of Bristol City Council highlighted the importance of the city's continued competitiveness as a leading UK filming destination. She stated:
'This is proof that Bristol is maintaining its competitive edge as a leading UK filming city, thanks to services provided by Bristol Film Office, expanded facilities at The Bottle Yard, and our skilled local crew.'
Aviles went on to commend Bristol Film Office's extensive impact over the last two decades, noting its role in securing Bristol's UNESCO City of Film status in 2017 and its unwavering support for the industry during the challenges posed by the pandemic. She emphasised that the work of Bristol Film Office is instrumental in attracting productions to the city, stimulating the local economy, and creating job opportunities.
In the 2022-23 period, Bristol continued to serve as a backdrop for a variety of major productions, solidifying its reputation as a prime filming location. Notable titles filmed with the assistance of Bristol Film Office included the upcoming Doctor Who 60th Anniversary special episodes (2023), the second series of The Lazarus Project (2023), and the family drama Black Cake (2023). Furthermore, the city played host to the Arthurian drama The Winter King (2023), the upcoming comedy-drama Truelove, and the fourth season of Sex Education (2023), among others. These productions contributed significantly to the economic value of the city's film and TV industry.
The Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV production facility in the West of England, played a pivotal role in hosting numerous productions, including the upcoming Rivals, The Killing Kind (2023), The Flatshare (2022), Rain Dogs (2023), Dodger (2022), and several feature films.
The success of Bristol's film and TV industry, as showcased in these figures, underscores the city's enduring appeal as a thriving hub for production, stimulating its economy and fostering continued growth.
Featured Image: Bristol Film Office 20th Birthday // Courtesy of Bristol Film Office
