International film and TV production spend in the UK reaches record levels

Figures released today reveal a record-breaking year for inward investment from film and high-end TV, demonstrating the British Film Commission’s success in working with Government and industry to attract and support major international productions. The figures show inward investment production spend in 2016 topping £1.3 billion, underlining the UK’s status as the best place in the world to make film and television.

The figures, released by the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit, show inward investment spend on feature films reached £1.35 billion – the highest figure since records began and an 18% increase on the previous year’s figures. Inward investment titles represented 85% of total UK spend, which reached a record £1.596 billion in 2016. UK-shot titles contributing to this banner year include Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Mummy and Ready Player One, while Transformers: The Last Knight demonstrated the UK’s one-stop-shop offer for major productions, shooting, as it did, in all four nations of the UK.

2016 was also a boom year for high-end TV production, which generated a record £478 million in inward investment spend – an 11% increase on 2015 and proof positive that the High-end Television Tax Relief remains a significant draw for overseas production companies. The strength of the UK’s offer is evident in the numerous ‘repeat business’ titles such as Game Of Thrones, Outlander and The Royals, with the UK’s regions and nations demonstrating their capacity to attract major TV titles and ensure business keeps coming back.

This record spend was reflected in the BFC’s own activity, with the Commission’s UK and US teams seeing their busiest year yet when it came to helping secure major productions for the UK, and ensuring productions ran smoothly. Alongside guidance on the UK’s generous and reliable creative sector tax reliefs; advice on logistics and support during production, the BFC organises tailored inward investment-boosting initiatives in both the UK and in the US, working in partnership with industry stakeholders throughout the UK’s regions and nations to ensure a flow of new business and lasting international relationships.