www.islingtonfilmoffice.co.uk launches today
Islington residents are urged to participate in the filming that happens on their doorstep – with a new website devoted to local filming news.
The new site www.islingtonfilmoffice.co.uk includes stories about recent filming, background on famous films that shot locally in the past, and encourages everyone to join residents groups in order to get involved.
Islington locations have appeared in recent programmes such as Mr Selfridge, Lucan, Babylon and will be shortly on screens as part of the Roald Dahl adaptation Esio Trot starring Dame Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffman; the new Simon Pegg film, Absolutely Anything and the Krays film, Legend.
London continues to attract increased filming – celebrating our city on the big screen. As a result, residents are becoming more involved, benefitting through a range of activities including local jobs, work experience, Q&As with filmmakers and set visits.
Residents groups are putting donations from filmmakers to work in all manner of useful ways, from opening internet cafes, opening local play centres, buying street furniture, providing local police with bicycles, plants for community gardens, and even funding free concerts.
Residents associations are heavily involved in discussing plans to film in their neighbourhoods, providing any special terms and conditions to make sure they feel protected and respected by crews.
Islington Council’s Film Office is managed by FilmFixer. FilmFixer director Karen Everett explains, “Of all the council services provided, residents possibly know the least about what’s going on in the film office. We hope this website will change all that.
“Along with all the good news about filming in your neighbourhood, it’s important for residents to know what to do if they have a problem.
“The website provides a 24 hour number for residents to call. Someone will always answer this and respond immediately to help. And there’s other helpful information about questions that might come up.”
Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, adds, “The film industry is incredibly important for the borough providing jobs and training and helping promote Islington as a major cultural destination. This website helps to put Islington residents at the heart of filming in our neighbourhoods, providing community benefits, and ensuring we are protected and respected by film crews.”
Contact details for Islington Film Office are:
• info@islingtonfilmoffice.co.uk
• 0207 620 0391
• 24hr emergency phone: 07919 002 115