Norfolk Film Assets: event to boost film economy

An online Q&A panel to discuss Norfolk as a key destination for the film industry is taking place at Norwich University of the Arts on Thursday 17 February from 3.30-5pm. Hosted by Norfolk County Council, the online Norfolk Screen Sector Launch hopes to encourage lively debate based around the findings from a commissioned survey carried out by film sector experts, Olsberg SPI in 2021.

Businesses, sole traders and freelancers have been invited to take part, however, the event is also open to anyone involved in the tourism industry. In 2021, Norfolk County Council and partners commissioned Olsberg SPI to deliver a research project on the Norfolk screen sector. The purpose of this survey was to understand the sector better, including the impact of Covid-19, future challenges and the need for support.

The survey also gathered information for the creation of a new database that organisations supporting the screen sector in Norfolk could access, as well as, potentially, a public crew directory.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: "I would like to thank all those screen sector individuals who actively took part in the research. This event will discuss the recommendations from the survey and will help us to continue those conversations on how we might work together to strengthen and grow the sector.

"It's not just about the specialist film crews, we want everyone involved in the industry to join us, especially those linked to the tourism industry.  We have a wealth of stunning locations to help boost our economy, so let's celebrate Norfolk as a destination."

Opening the event will be Leader of Norfolk County Council, Cllr Andrew Proctor, "This research report is the culmination of a year-long multi-agency, cross county collaboration.  We worked with our district council partners to commission this work, alongside New Anglia LEP

"The commissioning partners have also benefitted from expertise brought to the Steering Group by Hethel Innovation, Norfolk Constabulary and by Norwich University of the Arts.

"Given the growth in the national and international sector this seems a good time to take stock of the national and international screen sector investment boom, into our own home-grown film sector, and allow fresh conversations on how Norfolk plc might benefit from the growth in international screen investment."

The panel membership will include:

• Moderator: Jonathan Olsberg, Olsberg.SPI
• Professor Larra Anderson, Norwich University of the Arts
• Charlie Gauvain, Eye Film (joining virtually
• Steve Murphy, October Studios
• Cllr Graham Plant, Deputy Leader of Norfolk County Council
• Jonathan Thursby, Epic Studios
• Pete Waters, Visit East of England, Visit Norfolk

There is still time to register your attendance via Zoom through Eventbrite.

About the Partners

Norfolk County Council commissioned SPI on behalf of local authority funding partners who include:

• Breckland Council
• Broadland District Council
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council
• Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
• New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership
• Norfolk County Council
• North Norfolk District Council
• South Norfolk Council

The contract is managed by a project steering group comprising officers from each of the above authorities, plus co-opted partners from Hethel Innovation; Norfolk Constabulary, and Norwich University of the Arts.