New plan to establish film and TV production hub in Blackburn

A new strategic partnership featuring the University of Central Lancashire, Blackburn College and film and TV companies has formed to create a vibrant screen production cluster in Blackburn with Darwen.

The Blackburn with Darwen Screen Strategy aims to train the next generation of television and film production staff to meet industry demands. It will provide young people with the necessary skills in scripted film and high-end television production to connect with the wider industry and support its long-term growth.

The £750,000 project is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) and will be led by the University. 

The UK film industry is believed to be poised for significant growth, with 2025 expected to be a boom year thanks to major investments. The partnership says that Disney’s recent announcement of a $5bn investment in UK and Europe film production underscores the potential for rapid expansion, offering new opportunities and jobs across the sector.

Paresh Parmar, associate dean for the School of Arts and Media at the University of Central Lancashire, said: "With the demand for content growing, there aren’t enough people with the relevant production skills to keep up. This programme not only provides local people with technical skills but also prepares students for the real-world challenges they’ll face, especially in a freelance-driven industry, getting them ready to connect to the wider industry."

The programme will initially focus on Blackburn, supported by the University of Central Lancashire’s facilities in Preston, and will cover school-age education, further education, and higher education sectors.

It will create a screen production talent and skills hub, known as the Step Up Hub, aimed at establishing a thriving screen production cluster in Blackburn with Darwen. The Blackburn Youth Zone will introduce under-16s to careers in the media industry, while Blackburn College and University of Central Lancashire students will collaborate on joint projects, supported by work placements at Film Buddy and Pixeleyed Pictures.

Additionally, MR Helix, which has laid the groundwork for Futures in Film, a registered CIC, will provide emerging talent in Lancashire with access and placements at Pinewood Studios. This partnership will offer industry insight, invaluable experience, and an understanding of the crucial role of leading technologies and engineering in film production, with additional support from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The initiative was kick-started when Pixeleyed Pictures, in consultation with Blackburn with Darwen Council, identified the critical need for a comprehensive long-term screen strategy for the region, which had been overlooked in the BFI skills cluster.

Nina Karwalska, from Pixeleyed, said: “The Futures in Film Academy has provided training to students from Blackburn College and the University of Central Lancashire, enabling them to gain industry knowledge and on-set experience.

“Some students have secured placements on major productions like the upcoming BBC's Wolf Hall series 2, Paramount+’s Curfew, and Knives Out 3. Our technical production training ensures that we meet the stringent requirements of respected industry bodies such as the BSC, ACO, Production Guild UK, AMPS, and the Grips branch.”

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We’re a forward-thinking council which uses its strong partnerships to forge exciting opportunities like this – opportunities you’d expect to see in major cities. We want to inspire our youngsters – open their eyes to the potential for careers in the local, film and HETV industry and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. We look forward to seeing this scheme develop - building on the success we saw with the pilot project.”