A RENEWED push to boost the Island’s burgeoning film and television industry to encourage producers and directors to shoot in Jersey is being launched.
It comes following the success of the reboot of Jersey’s flagship TV series Bergerac, while the Island has also been the setting for a number of short films and the feature-length 2017 Bafta-winning film Beast.
But, despite its idyllic scenery and connectivity to the UK, filming in the Island is still relatively rare.
Now, local filmmakers and producers are launching a bid to bolster the Island’s creative industries through an inaugural Jersey Screen Summit.
Organised by Screen Jersey, the event is due to be held at the Freedom Centre from 1pm to 5pm next Monday.
It will bring together representatives from government, film and television, finance, education, the creative industries and local businesses to explore how Jersey can compete for productions and investment.
This will include discussions around what legislation and infrastructure may be required and how to ensure Islanders benefit.
Organisers of the Jersey Screen Summit have said they hope it will mark the beginning of a “co-ordinated effort” across the public, private and creative sectors to identify what Jersey needs “to support local talent, attract productions and investment and develop a screen industry capable of delivering lasting economic and cultural value”.
The announcement comes as a third series of the revamped Bergerac detective drama is due to air sometime next year after the first two seasons drew millions of viewers.
The series’ executive producer and chief executive of Westward Studios, Brian Constantine said: “We hope to play a part in planting the seed that successful, globally reaching productions can be made on the Island by both local and international companies.
“Bergerac has already demonstrated what can be achieved when investment, talent and ambition come together.
“With the right support and collaboration, we can build on that success and create a sustainable screen industry that delivers lasting economic and creative opportunities for Jersey.”
Rebecca Coley, speaking on behalf of Screen Jersey, cited “an opportunity to build something meaningful for the Island through a creative industry with ‘screen’”.
She said that encompasses “film and television, creating jobs, developing local talent, attracting investment and bringing our stories to wider audiences”.
“But that will only happen if we work together and understand what is needed to make it possible and the good impact this can have for the Island,” Ms Coley continued.
“The Screen Summit is about bringing everyone around the same table: government, industry, finance, creatives and the businesses that support productions.
“We want to have honest conversations about the challenges, make the economic case, identify the opportunities and leave with practical next steps.”
