Bumper year for film making in the capital

Mayor of London hails bumper year for film making in the capital

With the 56th BFI London Film Festival underway, the Mayor of London will be at this evening's UK premiere of Hyde Park on Hudson, celebrating great British filmmaking talent, which has made London the centre of movie making in the UK and the third busiest film production centre in the world. The Mayor is supporting the Centrepiece Gala screening of the new film, which was shot in London and the UK by British director Roger Michell and stars Bill Murray, Laura Linney and a cast of British acting talent including Olivia Colman, Samuel West and Olivia Williams.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'I am thrilled to support the London Film Festival through Film London, and with 75 per cent of the UK film industry based in and around London, we can proudly stake our claim to being one of the great moviemaking capitals of the world. London has the infrastructure, crews as well as gloriously memorable locations to service and inspire filmmakers the world over. I will continue to work closely with Film London and the BFI to ensure our city maintains its reputation for movie magic and to support a sector that is hugely important to our international image and our economy.'

The UK film industry contributes over £4.6 billion to UK GDP – with spending in and around the capital valued at an estimated £3.45 billion. On any given day there is an average of 35 film crews on London's streets and it is a sector that is growing - the film industry in and around London supports almost 90,000 jobs, up 15,000 on 2009 figures.

The London Film Festival includes several films produced and shot in London, including Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, which was shot at 3 Mills Studios in east London, which are world famous for their stop motion facilities and skilled crew and previously hosted Burton for the Corpse Bride and Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox. Other London shot films in the festival which were assisted by Film London, which receives funding from the Mayor, include the closer, Mike Newell's Great Expectations, Dustin Hoffman's Quartet, Sally Potter's Ginger and Rosa. Also in the festival is A Liars Autobiography, a hugely ambitious attempt to animate Monty Python star Graham Chapman's autobiography. Told in 14 different animation styles, it was produced in 14 different animation studios, 11 of which are in London, a world-class hub of VFX and animation talent.

The recent World Cities Culture Report 2012 cites film as a key creative sector for London and the Mayor wants to ensure the conditions are in place to make it as attractive as possible for filmmakers to work here. The London Filming Partnership set up by Film London brings together local authorities and city's major organisations, who are committed to making London film friendly, whilst road closure legislation makes it easier for filmmakers to shoot complex scenes on the capital's streets. Film London is also working to help deliver the BFI's five year strategy 'Film Forever'.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive Officer Film London, said: 'Film London will work with the BFI to deliver elements of a vital strategy for developing the UK’s film industry. Through a continued partnership with the Mayor of London and the BFI we aim to ensure London continues to be attractive to film-makers from across the globe, that we can support the next generation of the gifted people working in and around the capital and grow the city rich film culture, especially outside of central London.'

Amanda Nevill, Director BFI, said: 'London is one of most creatively important cities in the world and one of the greatest centres for film and it is absolutely integral to our five year plan Film Forever. The BFI is delighted to be able to continue its strong strategic relationship with Film London.'

David Parfitt, Producer (My Week with Marilyn and Parade's End) and Chair of Film London: 'The BFI London Film Festival reinforces the capitals position at the heart of the UK's filmmaking Industry and we at Film London are proud to be associated both with the Festival and the Mayor’s Centrepiece Gala. There are fantastic films and TV programmes being made in London, many of which are showcased at the LFF, and Film London will continue develop our long standing partnerships with the Mayor and the BFI to ensure that more films are made in London and that this success continues to translate into jobs and growth.'

It has been a bumper year for filmmaking in the capital. As well as the latest Bond Skyfall, which uses London locations to full effect, Ridley Scott's The Counselor was shot during the London 2012 Games, with stars Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz and Javier Bardem. Other films currently or recently shooting here include Doug Liman's All You Need is Kill with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt and Kenneth Branagh's Jack Ryan with Chris Pine, Keira Knightly and Kevin Costner, Thor: The Dark World, Kick-Ass 2 and Fast and the Furious 6.