New film office opens Norfolk up to filming possibilities

Norfolk County Council has awarded Norfolk Screen a 2-year contract to represent the county as its official Film Office. The combined spend by film and high-end television production (HETV) in the UK reached £6.27 billion in 2022, the highest ever reported.

The two-year Norfolk Film Office pilot programme will proactively promote Norfolk and its assets as a location for TV and film productions, as well as act as the front door for any location enquiries to ensure Norfolk capitalises on the growth of the sector. Any increase in economic activity for the county via additional filming activity will confirm the viability of a stand-alone Film Office.

Large-scale TV or film productions generate an increase in business for a wide range of companies surrounding a filming location, from cafés to taxi companies, accommodation businesses and retail. They also provide opportunities for local film companies to loan equipment or hire out studio space, and for local freelance film professionals from make-up artists to camera and sound technicians to have the opportunity to work closer to home. The new film office will support a dynamic and growing screen sector cluster within Norfolk.

Cllr Fabian Eagle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development said:

"Numerous production companies have already featured our beautiful county in their drama and documentary footage over the years. If, together with the borough, district and city councils, we can maximise on our stunning natural and wide range of built resources with a county-wide film office that makes it easier for production companies to find and work with suitable locations, we achieve economic benefit for many other local businesses whenever a production team comes to the county, and for tourism businesses when viewer visit the location they've seen on screen."

Claire Chapman, Managing Director at Norfolk Screen said:

"We are delighted to partner with Norfolk County Council and the local authorities and other stakeholders and look forward to working together to ensure that productions think first about Norfolk when it comes to filming in the UK. The more productions we can support locally and from outside the region, the more we can help boost the local economy and create new jobs."

Location scouts searching for sites and new locations wishing to register with the film office should contact Norfolk Screen.