Kent Film Office
The role and priorities of Kent County Council’s Film Office
The Kent Film Office was established in 2006 as an economic development initiative of Kent County Council. The Kent Film Office generates inward investment from the film and broadcast industries into the Kent economy. Since its launch, the Film Office has managed to secure some high profile productions, like Cape Wrath, BBC Emma, Pirates of the Caribbean, Sherlock Holmes all of which benefited many local businesses, communities and attractions.
The Kent Film Office offers a fast and excellent service to all local and visiting productions.
We set ourselves high standards and strive to achieve a number of priorities.
Priority 1: Maximise inward investment from film and television productions
Since 2006 the Kent Film Office has generated more than £14m in contribution to the Kent economy through filming activity. This inward inestment is supporting Kent’s businesses and jobs and supports KCC’s regeneration and economy activities.
Priority 2: Develop the skills and infrastructure base within Kent to support the film industry
To maximise the Kent offer to the creative industries, it has to extend beyond film locations and include a skills base visiting productions can tap into, as well as local support facilities. The Kent Film Office must operate in a highly competitive market and aims to support and grow the local skills base in conjunction with other training bodies in the county, such as the Maidstone Studios, the colleges and universities, MediaTree and our local screen agency, Screen South.
Priority 3: Develop the capacity of the Kent Film Office to deliver the best possible support and advice to the film industry
Kent County Council recognises that the success of the film office will also depend on the quality of support and advice it can offer the industry. Therefore a former industry professional was appointed to manage the Kent Film Office and the Kent Film and Television Board, comprised entirely of high level industry professionals, was appointed to advise on strategy. This has proved a very successful approach.
Contacts:
Gabrielle Lindemann – Kent Film Officer – filmoffice@kent.gov.uk
