Northumberland lures film addicts from all over the world

14th June 2010

Categories: Marketing

'One in 10 foreign tourists come to Britain because they have fallen in love with a film location' according to a new study carried out on behalf of the UK Film Council.

And one of the most popular locations is Alnwick Castle in Northumberland which doubles for Hogwart's School of Witchcraft in the Harry Potter films.

Three million of the annual 30 million visitors from abroad are lured by the picturesque settings of such box office hits (including Harry Potter) as Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, The Full Monty, Miss Potter, and Jane Eyre.

Miss Potter, the Renee Zellweger film about Beatrix Potter, prompted such an upsurge in visitor numbers from Japan that one Lake District firm now employs a full-time Japanese guide.

"It is now commonly acknowledged that film plays a major role in shaping external perceptions and the "brand" of individual destinations" the report said.

North East is the first UK region to be officially committed to TV and Film Production

In fact, the North East is such a film-friendly zone that a deal has been signed to officially establish the North East as the first UK region in which all local authorities are completely open and committed to TV and film production.

The deal was signed recently at the newly re-opened Seaton Delaval Hall.

Northern Film & Media's (NFM) Filming Friendly Partnership aims to ensure that the North East is set up to attract and deliver high quality film, television and commercial.

Tom Harvey, CEO, Northern Film & Media says: "The North East's iconic locations have created the backdrop to some of the most celebrated films and TV. The Filming Friendly Partnership will give us an edge over other parts of the UK in bringing production to the region".

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