Partner Article

North East becomes film friendly zone

A DEAL has been signed to officially establish the North East as the first UK region in which all local authorities are completely open and committed to TV and film production.

Northumberland County Council signed Northern Film & Media’s (NFM) Filming Friendly Partnership at the newly reopened Seaton Delaval Hall.

The signatures of Northumberland County Council’s chief executive Steve Stewart and executive member for customer relations and culture, Councillor Jim Smith established the North East as the first region in which all local authorities are committed to embracing production.

Northern Film & Media used the signing ceremony to launch phase 2 of the Filming Friendly partnership – an initiative targeted with growing the North East’s £7m production industry.

It aims to extend the partnership to larger locations across the region to ensure that the North East is set up to attract and deliver high quality film, television and commercials.

Phase 1 of the Filming Friendly Partnership has recently enabled the North East to attract and deliver a number of high profile film and television productions. The production team of major Bollywood film Hum Tum Aur Ghost were able to safely flip a car in daylight on Grey Street thanks to Newcastle City Council’s commitment to the partnership.

NFM and North Tyneside Council’s partnership has attracted eagerly anticipated film and television to the former Swan Hunter shipyard on Tyneside. Recent productions filmed at the Wallsend site include Flutter starring Billy Zane, One Night in Turin, Joe Maddison’s War and Vera - earmarked as the ‘new Frost’ by ITV Director of Television Peter Fincham.

Some of the Vera pilot was shot in Northumberland, and it joins previous high profile productions which has featured the county including Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Blackadder and Harry Potter.

Tom Harvey, CEO, Northern Film & Media: ‘The North East’s iconic locations have created the backdrop to some of the most celebrated films and TV. The Filming Friendly Partnership will give us an edge over other parts of the UK in bringing production to the region. “

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .