The growth of the screen industries in the UK means there is an increasing number of opportunities to be found across all UK nations. More production than ever before is taking place outside London and the South East and investment has increased across the UK nations and English regions. The UK games industry is a global hub for development with strong regional clusters across the UK's nations.
What's happening in your area and what does that mean for the young people you work with? Our Screen Industries Labour Market Information resources tell you what's happening in your region or nation in the world of film, TV, animation, VFX and games careers.
The UK Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan highlights the following regions as centres of creative industry economic growth:
- North East, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Greater London and West of England
- Dundee, Edinburgh City Region, Glasgow City Region
- Belfast City Region-Derry/Londonderry
- Cardiff Capital Region.
Find out about studios and stage space across the UK, and learn about new studios under development. You can also take a look at the films made on location in your region or nation.
- Find your national or regional film agency
- Find your national or regional BFI Skills Cluster
- Find out what's happening in the games industry near you with the UK Games Map from UKIE.
England
Following the investment of National Lottery funds via the BFI in 2023, there are now six Skills Clusters in the UK, including four in different regions of England. Each of these clusters will provide skills development and support for local people and produce new opportunities for people from underrepresented backgrounds.
There are over 40 large film and TV studios in England, over half of which are outside London, including Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, Space Studios Manchester, Digbeth Loc Studios Birmingham, The Bottle Yard Studios Bristol, and The Depot Liverpool, all of which are helping England and the UK to be recognised as a global leader in the screen industries.
Scotland
Scotland's screen industries have seen significant growth in recent years, with its stunning locations attracting a range of new studios that accommodate major feature film and high-end TV productions. This growth has been down to sector development led by Screen Scotland. In total, the screen sector in Scotland contributed £718 million to Scotland's economy in 2023, providing 12,260 full time equivalent jobs, up from £627 million and 10,940 in 2021.
Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland led on a Career Review which provided a new collaborative focus for Careers Information and Guidance for young people. We are working with Developing the Young Workforce Scotland to help shape the future screen industry workforce Scotland needs.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is at the forefront of screen careers education thanks to strategic planning and funding from Northern Ireland Screen, with our very own ScreenWorks work placement programme being an integral part of this.
The games sector continues to flourish, with the Pixel Mill being a successful incubator for games company start-ups.
Northern Ireland's portfolio of studios continues to grow, including Studio Ulster, a world-class virtual production studio.
Wales
From Doctor Who to Sex Education, Wales attracts an array of film and TV production companies to film and shoot. Creative Wales reflects the increasing growth of the industry and illustrates the range of opportunities available to those chasing a career in the screen industries in Wales.
The exciting integration of film as a discipline within the Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience within Curriculum for Wales, and the introduction of careers and work-related experiences as a cross-curricular theme from the age of five, enables learners to develop their interest, skills and passion for working in film from an early age. Schools across Wales work with Into Film Cymru to fully embrace these opportunities.