As Sheffield’s International Documentary Film Festival Docfest draws to a close, City Councillor Ben Miskell says that “we can attract more film and TV production by selling ourselves better and being more creative”.

The Sheffield Councillor says the Council should “following Manchester’s lead” by setting up Screen Sheffield to help promote the city as a filming location on the big and small screen.

Councillor Ben Miskell, who is Deputy Chair and Labour’s lead on the Economic Development and Skills Committee spoke out at the recent committee meeting, saying:

“We all know that it really matters how people see our city internationally and showcasing Sheffield on screen raises our profile and encourages inward investment. Council Officers will know that Manchester City Council has set up Screen Manchester, which I understand is their film office, delivering support services to the film industry and promoting their city on screen. Manchester even managed to nobble some locations for the latest “Full Monty” as well, even though the majority of filming locations seem to be in Sheffield, which is wonderful. I would be keen to know what council officers think about whether it’s time to set up Screen Sheffield to help promote the industry in Sheffield.”.

In response to Councillor Ben Miskell, Diana Buckley, Director of Economic Development and Culture said:

“We do have Screen Yorkshire that we work with, but they do tend to do more work in Leeds than in Sheffield, and we as Marketing Sheffield and the council’s communications department do work with film and TV crews as they come into the city. I would probably say that is reactively rather than proactively, so there is more that we could do to look at a Screen Office for supporting film in Sheffield.”