Sunderland filmmaker puts region in the spotlight

A North East filmmaker has returned home to create a promotional film designed to attract new investment and showcase the area’s economic potential.

Sunderland-born filmmaker Carley Armstrong has produced a cinematic showcase film highlighting eight major investment opportunities across the North East ahead of this year’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).

Commissioned by North East mayor Kim McGuinness, the production – titled Built Here – was filmed at Crown Works in Sunderland, the site set to become the North East’s first large-scale TV and film studios following a £38 million funding package announced earlier this year.

Carley, who grew up in Hendon less than a mile from the site, left the region earlier in her career to pursue opportunities in television and film before returning to work with a North East-based production crew on the project.

Produced by Carley’s company True Moon Pictures, the film aims to position the North East as an attractive destination for private sector investment while celebrating regional talent, creativity and industry.

She said: “The North East is brimming with potential, and I’m incredibly proud to play a part in telling that story to an audience who can help unlock it through further investment.

“As a champion for the region, and someone who was born and raised here, this project is deeply personal to me. 

“The investment flowing into this site, just a short drive from where I grew up, is a powerful example of what can be achieved when there is a clear vision and collective ambition behind a sector, so to be given exclusive access to shoot there was really special.

“The North East is a place that knows how to deliver, and that’s the message I want to share; that investors can have real confidence in what we can achieve here.

“When I think about future generations who will benefit from developments like Crown Works – young people like I once was, who didn’t always see opportunities here – it means a great deal to be part of something that could help make those ambitions a reality, right here in the North East.”

The showcase highlights sectors including offshore wind, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, tech, digital, defence and creative industries, with organisers hoping the cinematic approach will help the region stand out at UKREiiF.

The North East delegation will attend UKREiiF in Leeds between May 19 and 21 alongside representatives from all seven local authorities and a wider business delegation, joining more than 16,000 delegates from across the property, investment and infrastructure sectors.

Mayor McGuinness added: “This film shows our huge ambition for the North East and even better that it’s been created by Sunderland-born filmmaker Carley, assisted by a fantastic local team.

“I want to see blockbusters filmed on the banks of the Wear that’s why we’ve invested £38 million in Crown Works studios.

“This will create more opportunities for our local working-class creatives both in front of and behind the camera to show what we've always known – our region is packed with talent.”

As well as premiering at UKREiiF, Built Here will also be released on social media and screened during Sunderland Film Festival.

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