A plan to boost the region's film and TV industry was shared at Fareham College.

On December 11, the 2024 Solent Screen Industries Cluster Meeting brought together leaders and stakeholders to discuss growing local screen businesses.

The meeting showcased the findings of a study by the film office and screen development agency, proposing a dedicated film office to support high-profile productions.

The study was managed and funded by the Solent Growth Partnership and commissioned with Creative Network South.

It emphasised the importance of a regional film location agency to simplify the process for production companies to shoot on location.

The event, featuring speakers such as Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, and Jo Nolan, managing director of Screen South, also explored options for creating pathways for skills development, employment, and cultural tourism.

Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council and board member of Solent Growth Partnership, was one of the speakers at the event. He said: "The region has immense potential to become a key player in the UK’s booming screen industry. With growing global interest in UK production, our focus is to leverage this opportunity, fostering a region that attracts top-tier productions and champions local talent.

"The Solent Screen Support Feasibility Study provides an invaluable framework to shape a vibrant screen sector, and we’re looking forward to working with local partners on this transformative journey in bringing this vision to life for the locality."

The UK screen industry has seen rapid growth, with £4.23 billion in film and high-end TV production expenditure in 2023.

The Solent region, with its historic and modern filming sites like the Isle of Wight, New Forest, Portsmouth, and Southampton, has been featured in productions such as The Crown, Les Misérables, Napoleon, and Tenet.

The demand for UK locations remains strong, and the region is in a good position to attract more productions.