We may only be in February, but 2024 is almost certain to go down as the year the UK cements its reputation as a global hub for film and TV.
Succession — written by Shropshire’s Jesse Armstrong — taking all the awards at the Emmys. Barbie — filmed at the remarkable Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire — smashing global box office records. Oppenheimer — directed by London born-and-bred Christopher Nolan — scooping the top accolades at the Golden Globes and recording 13 Oscar nominations.
Global cinema and TV is infused with British creativity, imagination, ideas. And the major studios — from Netflix and Amazon to Disney and Apple TV — all want to add a Made in Britain tag to their productions.
This morning the BFI released its latest round of statistics showing that overall takings at the UK box office were up 5.5 per cent as a wave of cinephiles flooded back to cinema.
These latest figures illuminate not just the extent of our current domination, but the depth of it. Because today, in 2024, all parts of the ecosystem are world-leading. Independent productions are showcasing the exceptional talent coming through. Major studios like Shepperton and Elstree are hosting some of the largest scale productions. Our VFX industry, which over the course of eight Harry Potter movies was transformed from a cottage industry to a global heavyweight, sets the gold standard for visual effects.
London is fundamental to these industries and every year the London Film Festival — which we are backing this year with almost £2 million of government support — showcases the best of the best at the BFI and across the capital.
I hear from studio executives that countries around the world want to replicate what we are doing. Our job is to outperform them
As Culture Secretary, I hear from studio executives that countries around the world want to replicate what we are doing. Our job is to outperform them.
As crazy as it sounds, I believe we are just scratching the surface of what is possible. Through our Creative Industries Vision, we have a blueprint for how Government and industry can work in partnership to extend this golden era long into the future. £50 billion of extra growth. One million more creative jobs. A pipeline of talent for the future.
