Birmingham’s growing reputation as a film and television capital would be further enhanced by the national and international spotlight of a year as the UK City of Culture, attracting more productions to the city.
That is the view of Chairman of the Birmingham Cultural Partnership Cllr Martin Mullaney, who believes the City Council’s Film Birmingham office will be inundated with filming requests if Birmingham gets the nod this summer.
Launched in February 2006, Film Birmingham has gone from strength to strength, attracting a number of high profile productions to the city, including BBC dramas Survivors and Hustle.
Four feature films have been shot in Birmingham since 2008, while the number of filming requests was up a massive 200 per cent last year.
Cllr Mullaney said: “Film Birmingham has been a big success for the city and I have no doubt we can build on that success in the run up to and during 2013 if we are named UK City of Culture.
“In Birmingham we not only offer an iconic background for film makers, we also offer comprehensive logistical support. Our aim is to be known as a film city, not just a city for filming.
“We have plenty to offer and we’re fast gaining a reputation as a city that can deliver for the film and television industries. I have no doubt that reputation would be further enhanced with a year under the spotlight as UK City of Culture.”
Film Birmingham provides the following free services for the film and television industry:
- Film Permitting – we liaise with city council departments such as Highways, Parking and Parks on your behalf and provide permits to film in the city.
- Film Locations – we provide information and advice about Birmingham’s diverse film locations via our online database.
- Crew & Facilities – we can put you in touch with the regions crew and facilities via our online database.
Birmingham’s Film Charter shows Birmingham City Council’s commitment to making filming as easy and efficient as possible.
Film Birmingham is the first stop for filming requests in the city. The idea is that instead of calling different departments within Birmingham City Council for things like permissions to film, parking and road closures, you simply follow the procedure below and the request will be processed on your behalf.
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For further information, please contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501/ 07920 750004.
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