Edinburgh updates Film Charter to boost production

The City of Edinburgh Council has approved a new film charter that aims to increase clarity with a more simplified process for filmmakers considering the Scottish capital as a potential location for future projects.

Edinburgh was one of the first UK cities to introduce a film charter in 1999 and the latest version has been further enhanced with a discount being offered for key city unit bases for major film productions.

The new charter also outlines in detail the key responsibilities for the capital’s regional film commission, Film Edinburgh, including facilitating requests and offering advice and support to all productions of every scale in the city, East Lothian and Scottish Borders.

Rosie Ellison, film manager for Film Edinburgh explained: “The Film Charter gives clarity to crucial structures within the city that will ensure all filming enquires are dealt with as efficiently as possible. For example, every single council service now has a nominated and trained liaison person who can deal competently and quickly with filmmaker enquiries.

“It sounds simple, but this one new process will make an immense difference to potential productions We want to spread the word that when it comes to filming, Edinburgh is open for business and we have the framework in place to work together to support future projects on every level.”

Cllr Frank Ross, convener of the Economy Committee, said: “Films being made in Edinburgh bring in millions to our economy as well as showcasing Edinburgh throughout the world. Anything that makes this process easier is welcomed.”

The Charter sits alongside a renewed Code of Practice for Filmmakers, which takes into account changes within the city, such as the introduction of Edinburgh’s new trams next month.

Both the Film Charter and Code of Practice are now available to download from the Film Edinburgh’s new website www.filmedinburgh.org. 

Last year, Film Edinburgh dealt with a total of 502 film and TV enquiries, resulting in 342 productions filming in the Edinburgh city region. This is equivalent to over half the total number of productions filmed in Scotland in 2013.

Blue chip productions in 2013 included the third series of BBC3’s Pramface, BBC thrillers The Escape Artist, starring David Tennant and its murder mystery Shetland. Factual drama, Castles In The Sky, starring Eddie Izzard about the Scottish originator of the radar, was also filmed in Edinburgh and East Lothian last year.