Pictures: Curtain goes up for Kent's film industry
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Picture Gallery
The Kentywood sign
Ioan Grufford as William Wilberforce on the slave ship Madagascar in Michael Apteds Amazing Grace, which was filmed in Kent
Karol Steel, appeared in the film The Other Boleyn Girl which was partly filmed at Dover Castle.
of the new Guy Ritchie film Sherlock Holmes, some of which was filmed at the Medway Dockyard
Kent has landed a leading part in the film industry after a new
law came into power today.
The Parliamentary bill to assist filming in the county
received Royal Assent.
It means Kent County Council is now the only UK authority
outside London with the power to temporarily close roads for
filming.
The council had asked the Government to push through the bill to
promote investment in the county.
It was passed earlier than expected and without objection.
Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration
and Economic Development, said: "This is fantastic news.
"Filming brings a serious income into the Kent economy, so we're
absolutely committed to nurturing the industry and making Kent a
national and international contender for filming.
"Our wonderfully diverse county has everything from dramatic
landscapes and historical settings to modern, urban backdrops and
the new law means we can offer filmmakers an even better
package."
The Kent Film Office, run by Kent County Council, has generated
more than £14million for the county's economy in the four years
since it was set up.
It has attracted projects including BBC drama Emma
featuring Michael Gambon and Is Anybody There, starring Michael
Caine.
Other Hollywood names to have filmed on location in Kent include
Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana for the Other
Boleyn Girl, Reese Witherspoon for Vanity Fair and Daniel Craig for
The Golden Compass.
The new law aims to attract even more filmmakers to Kent,
bringing benefits to Kent businesses, tourism and residents.
Although the new law gives legal powers to close roads, KCC
insistes the Kent Film Office will continue to work closely with
local residents and businesses and take their needs into
account.
Tanya Oliver, director of Strategic Development and Public
Access added: "This is really exciting for Kent.
"We can now offer filmmakers a real flexibility to meet their
needs and that's going to make us an even more attractive
prospect.
"I think our county is set for stardom that will benefit
everyone."
Kent County Council unanimously approved promotion of the bill
across all three political parties when it was voted on at a full
council meeting.
Tuesday, July 27 2010
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