A NEW fund launched by the Mayor of the West of England is looking to increase the quantity, range and scale of film and TV productions made in the region.

The £4.5 million production fund from Greenlight West represents the biggest boost in more than a decade for production in the region.

Investments made by Greenlight West are forecast to generate £20.7 million in production spend in the region, supporting more than 230 jobs, while supporting freelancers, local suppliers, and the wider screen supply chain.

Awards of between £50,000 to £500,000 (varying by production routes) will be available for ambitious, commercially viable screen productions that can demonstrate the meaningful impact they will bring to the region in terms of local spend, employment, skills development and other benefits.

Eligible applicants include incoming productions filming in the region, productions made or led by regionally based companies, and productions carrying out significant post-production work locally.

Unlike many other incentives offered in different geographical areas of the UK, funding is non-recoupable; a factor expected to significantly enhance the West of England’s competitive edge as a filming region.

Announcing the new fund at the Bristol Old Vic, Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, said: “The West of England is already one of the most popular places in the UK to make TV and film. Whether that’s blockbuster drama, homegrown storytelling, globally renowned natural history, expertly crafted animation or cutting-edge factual production, this is the place to be.

"We’re serious about ramping up our region’s credentials as a filming hub even further, to grow this important sector and stimulate more spending, create more jobs and skills opportunities for local people.

“With this new incentive we’re sending a clear message to the sector. We want you to make more magic here in the West Country, tell more stories from our region, and show off more of our places on screen - with all the tourism benefits that brings.

"We’re here to help you invest, recruit, and train locally and we look forward to harnessing the power that your film and TV production can bring to the country's fastest-growing regional economy.”

Greenlight West is the first investment from the £25 million secured by the West of England from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport's Creative Places Growth Fund. The West is one of just six regions to unlock the funding from government.

The West of England is home to the UK’s third largest screen production hub and major media institutions including the globally renowned BBC Studios Natural History Unit and award-winning animation studio Aardman, alongside a thriving community of independent production companies, freelancers, crew, studios, facilities and creative workforce talent.

A spokesperson from Bristol Screen Producers, said: “This is excellent and welcome news for the region's production companies and freelancers living and working in Bristol and the South West.

“The funds provide a necessary boost to the screen sector's entrepreneurial spirit and finally gives us the opportunity to be equitable with other regions.”