Liverpool Film Office has unveiled a showstopping celebratory showreel to wrap up its 35th anniversary celebrations.
The latest reel was produced by the award-winning, Liverpool based, LA Productions, and lovingly curated by creative director Chris Bernard, whose debut film Letter to Brezhnev was released the same year the Film Office was established, the showreel attempts – in just over two minutes – to depict 35 years of the Liverpool City Region on film.
Over the last five years the Film Office has been responsible for driving £168 million inward investment into the local economy by supporting 1,564 productions (equivalent to 6 a week since 2020) and generating more than 5,279 full time equivalent jobs.
The Film Office also manages the LCR Production Fund which was launched by Liverpool City Region’s Mayor Steve Rotheram in 2019, and has to date invested in 10 high-end TV dramas including This City Is Ours, the Time series one and two – the first of which won a BAFTA – and Emmy Award-winning The Responder.
As the second most filmed UK city outside of London, Liverpool has earned its place as one of the most sought-after locations for productions looking to shoot their stories for screen. With its grand architecture, industrial docklands along with its idyllic beaches and countryside, the Liverpool City Region has it all, making it an appealing prospect for any filmmaker.
The showreel has been launched as part of VisitLiverpool’s The Ultimate Setting campaign, in conjunction with VisitBritain’s Starring Great Britain campaign.
The slogan at the end of the video, the World in One City was first coined as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations back in 2008.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“It’s no surprise that Liverpool is the most filmed UK city outside of London, especially when you watch the Film Office’s latest showreel.
“Over the last 35 years, Liverpool’s presence on screen has increased massively, which has been expertly illustrated by the amount of fantastic film and TV series that feature in this showreel.
“The World in One City is a very fitting way to describe the diversity of the architecture and landscapes we have in abundance in the region to encourage more filmmakers and visitors in the future!”
Head of Liverpool Film Office, Lynn Saunders said:
“It has been fantastic working with Chris and the team at LA Productions to create our 35th anniversary showreel.
“Our showreel is the culmination of the Film Office’s hard work and dedication over the last 35 years to put Liverpool at the forefront of screens across the globe.
“The focus for my team is to continue to drive inward investment to the Liverpool City Region, working to build a stronger and more diverse skilled screen workforce in the region and promoting best practice in sustainability within our sector. It’s been a privilege working with some of the world’s finest talents both on screen and behind the camera.
“With the future development of Littlewoods on the horizon and the continued support from supply chain businesses and production companies, the future is bright for the film and TV industry in Liverpool and we cannot wait for what the next 35 years of Liverpool Film Office may bring.”
CEO of LA Productions, Colin McKeown MBE, said:
“As a born and bred scouser, to see and appreciate the filmic work that has been done in our city, is absolutely superlative. Watching these clips fills you with awe, admiration, and very simply, pride.”
Creative Director of the showreel, Chris Bernard said:
“Over decades now, I’ve been witness to what the Liverpool Film Office and our Moving Image production community has contributed to our mythological culture – let’s not forget Capital of Culture, collaborating to deliver the creative, artisan and industry jobs, and the huge benefits across the board to our city’s and region’s economy and reputation.
“Liverpool truly is ‘the world in one city’ when it comes to a location base, the universe in fact. I feel so honoured that the Film Office team trusted me with a selection as important as this, for this crucial remit. And the extraordinary and amazing thing is there is so much fantastic footage continually shot here, that so many other excellent and entertaining trailer alternatives could be put forward.”
READ MORE: BBC drama This City Is Ours gives multi-million boost to local economy
