The British Film Commission (BFC) has officially designated Birmingham and the West Midlands as its eighth regional production hub, a move that local leaders and industry figures are calling a transformative moment for the area's creative sector.
The announcement, made yesterday, recognises the region's growing capability to host high-end film and television productions, including the upcoming Peaky Blinders film 'The Immortal Man' and the new BBC spin-off series currently shooting in Birmingham. This production activity helped the region meet the BFC's stringent criteria for hub status.
£5.8bn boost to UK economy
The BFC revealed that its network of production hubs generated £5.8bn in inward investment for the UK in 2025. The addition of the West Midlands expands this network, which now spans the entire country, offering global producers access to world-class facilities, crew, and locations.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker described the designation as a "real gamechanger" that gives the TV and film industry confidence in the region's ability to deliver productions of every scale. He highlighted the BBC's doubling of its production spend in the area and Netflix's decision to bring the Shelby family home for the Peaky Blinders film.
"We've also recently provided the backdrop for Yash Raj's latest Bollywood blockbuster," Parker added. "Long-running productions Silent Witness and MasterChef are creating regular work for local crews and helping keep talent here. And I'm investing in the local creators of new screen and digital ideas and training up the next generation so they have the skills producers and directors need. With our dedicated production office, it's never been easier to get a production rolling here."
Leaders welcome the announcement
Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission, drew on a famous line from Peaky Blinders to mark the occasion: "As Tommy Shelby once said, 'when you plan something well, there's no need to rush'." He noted that the West Midlands has grown steadily over nearly 15 years, building skills, infrastructure, and reputation.
"With the West Midlands becoming an official regional production hub, our offer to the global film and TV industry now spans the length and breadth of the UK," Wootton said. "Wherever you base your production, you're within a stone's throw of world-class facilities, crew and talent, with access to one-of-a-kind locations and some of the world's most stable, transparent and generous tax incentives."
As a born-and-bred West Midlander who started his career in the region, Wootton expressed personal pride in the development, calling it "a major win for the region's creative community, the UK and a win for the global industry as a whole."
Peaky Blinders creator hails new studios
Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, also welcomed the news, emphasising the importance of new facilities in the region. "I'm thrilled that the West Midlands has been recognised as a fantastic place to make film and TV," he said. "The opening of Digbeth Loc. Studios is an important part of that ambition, providing a home for world-class film and television production in the heart of Birmingham."
Knight added: "We are at the beginning of a journey, and we've got off to a great start. The West Midlands is always ambitious, and we believe we will create a global content making industry in our neighbourhood."
The designation is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Birmingham and the wider region, creating jobs, attracting investment, and cementing its reputation as a major player in the UK's creative industries.
