Development builds the buzz around Yorkshire as production base following C4’s decision last week to locate its new National HQ in the region

Following the news that Channel 4 is to locate its new national headquarters in Leeds, the screen industries in Yorkshire were today given an additional boost when Screen Yorkshire announced the opening of its new Film Office. The move, which aims to open up further opportunities to UK and international producers, is a cornerstone of Screen Yorkshire’s ambition to make Yorkshire & Humber a world-class hub for film and television.

The Leeds-based organisation already supports the industry through its commercial investment fund, the Yorkshire Content Fund (YCF), which is open to companies based in Yorkshire or bringing projects to film in the region and has to date supported over 40 titles. Today’s move will see Screen Yorkshire ramp up its existing activity and expand the support and resource it offers the screen industries, providing a one-stop-shop for all filming enquiries in the region. In addition to its investment fund, the new, dedicated Film Office team with over 40 years location management and scouting experience, will provide improved production liaison and support on everything from location and facilities through to crew and details of production trainees and education links. The service will also offer would-be producers coming to the area comprehensive advice on being based in Yorkshire, and the wider media landscape.

In the longer term, the new Film Office – working in conjunction with public and private partners – is also exploring the development of an entirely new large-scale studio complex, with the potential to offer a major hub for domestic and international film and TV activity. The organisation has already developed the Church Fenton Yorkshire Studios, home of Mammoth Screen’s ITV-hit, Victoria.

ITV's global phenomenon 'Victoria' (Mammoth Screen) filming at Bramham Park, Leeds

Our ambition to make Yorkshire a world-class venue for the screen industries has taken a step forward today with the opening of our Film Office. Our dedicated team and resource will provide a single point of contact for producers wanting to film in the region – and provide them with a bespoke service to give them the advice and support they need to deliver their project. Together with the news that Channel 4 is moving its national headquarters to the region, the opening of Screen Yorkshire’s Film Office today sends a clear message to screen industry creatives far and wide that Yorkshire is open for business and ready to welcome them.

Sally Joynson, Chief Executive, Screen Yorkshire

The wider Yorkshire & Humber film and TV sector has been invigorated in recent years, with Screen Yorkshire’s investment activities helping to deliver unprecedented growth in employment and turnover; more than double the rate of any other region in the UK. Today’s Film Office announcement is one of a number of exciting new initiatives to have launched in Yorkshire in recent weeks.

At the beginning of October, ScreenSkills (formerly Creative Skillset) announced that it was working with Screen Yorkshire and the National Film and Television school to establish Yorkshire as the pilot region for its proposed Centre of Excellence for Film & Television. The initiative aims to create a series of national and regional hubs for a UK-wide programme of mentoring and the delivery of local bursaries to best support emerging and established talent across the UK in the screen industries. Using the learnings from the Yorkshire pilot, ScreenSkills plans to build around five such centres around the UK in order to build a greater skilled workforce outside London and the South East.

In the news

Variety: Screen Yorkshire Opens Film Office With an Eye on International Production

The Knowledge: Screen Yorkshire expands film office

Prolific North: Screen Yorkshire opens “one-stop hub” Film Office in Leeds

TBI Vision: Screen Yorkshire opens Film & TV office post-C4 move

The Business Desk: Screen Yorkshire announces expanded office to put region’s film and TV industry on the map

Televisual: Screen Yorkshire launches new Film Office

Yorkshire Post: Film Office Part of Plan to Make Region World Class Screen Hub

Filming In Yorkshire

Locations Database

Cillian Murphy on horseback in Peaky Blinders

Funding

Annette Bening and Josh O'Connor looking off into the distance at the seaside

Productions

Meet the team

At Screen Yorkshire our production liaison team is Chris Hordley and Richard Knight – both former location managers with 40 years combined experience working on some of the UK’s best known and high profile productions. They are on hand to offer on-the-ground expert advice and a one-stop-shop for all your filming needs.

Chris Hordley, Production Liaison & Development

Chris provides bespoke advice on regional locations, studios and facilities to UK and international production companies. With over 20 years combined industry and production liaison experience, Chris has secured and supported productions in Yorkshire & Humber including; Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, Victoria, Ackley Bridge, God's Own Country, Paddington 2, and Transformers: The Last Knight. He also supports Screen Yorkshire’s senior management team in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.

Contact Chris on +44(0)7901 351197 or chris@screenyorkshire.co.uk
Richard Knight, Career Support Manager

Richard helps to find and develop Yorkshire’s industry talent of the future. He assists with the development and running of Screen Yorkshire’s training and education programmes including our nation-leading Connected Campus initiative. Having worked for 20 years in the industry throughout the UK on feature films, television dramas, music videos and commercials, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.

You can contact Richard on richard@screenyorkshire.co.uk

Screen Yorkshire Launches New Film Office