THE film offices of Essex County Council and Hertfordshire County Council have announced a new partnership.
The aim is to grow the areas into one of the UK’s most dynamic hubs for TV and film production.
Screen Alliance East brings together the strengths, expertise and innovation from both film offices. The Alliance will act as a catalyst for growth. It will support the region’s rapidly expanding film, TV and digital media sector.
The Alliance will act as a central hub for production support, skills development, and industry promotion.
It will make sure local talent, businesses, and communities benefit directly from the growth of the UK’s booming screen sector.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement at Essex County Council said:
“Essex already has a fantastic track record of attracting blockbuster films and quality TV productions. The county has been the backdrop for major productions such as ‘Slow Horses,’ ‘Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning,’ and will be seen again this Christmas in the latest ‘Knives Out’ film. Screen Alliance East will unlock more opportunities for our residents, businesses, and communities. Together, we are ensuring that the eastern region is at the forefront of the tv and film industry.”
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for the Arts and Culture at Essex County Council said:
“By uniting through a regional screen alliance, we can build on our cultural landscape that champions local talent and identity. It will also support independent productions and enhance the region’s appeal to national and international co-producers and financiers.”
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader Hertsmere Borough Council, Chairman Elstree Film Studios.
“This alliance will be game changing for our region. Hertfordshire’s screen industries sit at the heart of a globally significant production cluster. By working together with Essex, we will unlock opportunities that neither region could achieve alone. Screen Alliance East will help drive high-quality jobs, expand training pathways and bring more production activity into our towns and communities. It reflects the leadership and ambition that both counties share for building a stronger, fairer, and more globally competitive creative economy.”
The two Film Offices have already collaborated to support the latest instalment of the Netflix hit ‘Knives Out’. The drama filmed at Leavesden Studios, where much of the set was built. While external scenes filmed at Epping Forest and Witham, Essex. Leavesden Studios are also renowned for the Harry Potter franchise.
By pooling resources and working together, Essex and Hertfordshire will unlock new opportunities. This includes skills training, job creation, inward investment, global visibility and tourism. The alliance will focus on four key goals.
· Skills Development: Training and career pathways for emerging and established screen professionals.
· Economic Growth: Attracting inward investment and creating jobs within the creative industries.
· Regional Promotion: Showcasing the East of England as a world-class destination for film and TV production.
· Sustainability: Encouraging greener practices and innovation across the sector.
· Attracting investment: Developing regional funds to support independent production.
The Alliance is set to create the perfect environment to attract more high-profile projects. It will provide the best support to production teams from location scouting to filming.
For more information on Screen Alliance East, visit: www.screenallianceeast.co.uk
