Film industry professionals have gathered in Stamford as part of a project to attract production companies to South Kesteven.
Producers, crew, location managers and commissioners saw a showreel of films and TV series shot locally – from The Crown to Frankenstein, Bridgerton and popular BBC series Strike.
South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, UK: A Unique Film Location Opportunity
The Spotlight on South Kesteven Screen Industries Networking Event was organised by Lincolnshire County Council’s Visitor Economy Team. It’s part of a £55,000 Set-Jetting project funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Harlaxton Manor, Stamford, Burghley and Grimsthorpe Castle have all hosted major productions.
Burghley Commercial Manager Philip Gompertz and Lucie VonCarthy, public access lead for Grimsthorpe Castle spoke of their experiences with advice on hosting.
Filming in the district provides income for locations, plus attracts visitors increasingly influenced and attracted by film and TV show locations – worth £892m to the UK annually.
LCC’s new industry guide illustrates South Kesteven’s unique location opportunities, its accessibility and proven track record in supporting even the most complex production projects.
The guide also includes other highly adaptable sites, including unseen ‘virgin’ locations just waiting for the cameras to roll such as Grantham Canal, Marston Hall and Mannakin Hall.
The County Council is now preparing a guide to inform and support property owners who are interested in offering their locations, from contemporary homes to run-down farmyards.
South Kesteven District Council tourism lead Josh Farmer said: “Our Set-Jetting project offers an exciting and valuable new direction for South Kesteven. It brings in money from film production companies and we know tourists love to visit film locations.
“Too few people in the industry know where Lincolnshire is and the huge amount it has to offer for filming. This project is putting South Kesteven on the map.”
Hayley Toyne, Growth Manager at Lincolnshire County Council added: “Lincolnshire, and South Kesteven, have a great deal to offer the TV and Film Industry and we're keen to present our area as 'film friendly' as possible.
“Attracting more productions has many economic benefits, both pre and post filming, from the support services needed to host cast and crew, through to the promotional opportunities of seeing Lincolnshire on screen.
“It's important that we reach out to the screen industries using processes and terminology they recognise, and present the county as a viable, convenient, and exciting new location to explore. This initiative has been a great springboard to making that happen."
Suggestions on fresh film locations can be emailed to Joshua Farmer at SKDC on joshua.farmer@southkesteven.gov.uk
Back from left Philip Gompertz (Burghley House), Jake Carder (Unit Manager)
Jack Shelbourn (University of Lincolnshire Director of Photography), Hayley Toyne (Lincolnshire County Council/ Visit Lincolnshire)
Front from left. Chelsea Foster (Creative England), Heather Greenwood (Managing Director Keal Production), Rachel Scarrott (Producer/Director) Lucie VonCarthy (Grimsthorpe Castle)