Official film and high-end TV (HETV) production statistics released today by the British Film Institute (BFI) show that the UK’s production continued to generate billions to the UK economy despite the global impact of US Guild strikes. The inward investment spend generated by film and high-end television (HETV) production during 2023 reached £3.11 billion, 49% down on 2022.
The British Film Commission (BFC), the UK agency with a remit to attract and support inward investment film and HETV production from major international Film, TV and streaming clients, provided production support to productions and companies responsible for 92% of the total inward investment HETV spend, and 97% of total inward investment feature film spend in 2023. This included bespoke support to companies responsible for major film and HETV titles such as Apex, A Gentleman in Moscow, Beetlejuice Sequel, Deadpool 3, Doctor Who Season 15, Ghostbusters Afterlife: Frozen Empire, House of the Dragon Season 2, Rivals, Speak no Evil, The Rig Season 2, The Amateur, Venom 3.
‘’Globally, the current environment for film and TV production has become challenging for a number of reasons and it will come as no surprise that as a result of industrial action in the US suspending production half way through the year, today’s figures are lower than those for 2022,” said Adrian Wootton CBE, CEO of the British Film Commission. “However, despite this, we remain incredibly proud of the UK’s position as a leading global centre for film and TV production, post and visual effects, attracting international and domestic producers to make their content here. This is the result of our world-class crew base – in which we continue to invest, our generous tax credits – which have once again been enhanced, and our increased UK-wide stage space offer, coupled with our range of cutting edge facilities and diverse locations.”
“The production and box office figures that we have published today reflect the different dynamics at play across our sector,” commented Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive. “Whilst a level of film and high-end television production in the UK was disrupted by strikes in 2024, our industry continues to contribute billions to the UK economy and support a huge range of jobs. At the same time, audiences showed up in record numbers for must-see movies including Barbie, Oppenheimer and Wonka all of which exemplify the talent and artistry of so many UK creatives. And despite notable recent successes such as The Great Escaper, Rye Lane, Scrapper, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Polite Society, we cannot ignore that the statistics also highlight concerns for lower budget UK films, increasingly challenged in securing finance and visibility. Our work and commitment in this area continues.”
The UK’s seven production hubs across its four nations continue to attract major international film and HETV productions due to their first-rate studios, crew, infrastructure, locations and production support. As a result, local economies throughout the UK continue to benefit through employment of local crews and direct and multiplier spending. Some of the major inward investment film and HETV productions made in the UK’s nations and regions last year included:
Wales
Doctor Who Series 15, Eternal Return
Scotland
Rebus, The Rig Season 2
Northern Ireland
Old Guy, Sunrise
England
Yorkshire – All Creatures Great and Small season 4
North West England – A Gentleman in Moscow, Dead Hot, Playdate
South West England – Rivals, Speak No Evil
London / South East England – The Amateur, The Day of the Jackal, Ghostbusters Afterlife: Frozen Empire, Beetlejuice sequel, Deadpool 3, The Gorge, House of the Dragon Season 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, The Diplomat Season 2.
As well as productions utilising the UK’s leading studios and diverse and unique locations, many have also made use of the UK’s award-winning VFX and post-production sector. Multiple projects qualified as British purely through UK VFX and post-production spend in 2023, including Killer’s Game, The Arctic, The Castaways and Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator sequel.
In 2023, the BFC’s bespoke support facilitated major film and HETV projects by assisting international companies in all areas of production. This included guidance on UK-wide stage space and crew availability, sourcing locations via its network of partners throughout the nations and regions, visa troubleshooting and UK tax relief. The BFC additionally continued to support and promote infrastructure in all four nations of the UK, as well as working closely with Government to ensure the continuation or enhancement of ‘film-friendly’ policies.
