Pinewood Group Announces a New Indie Film Hub at Pinewood Studios

An Exciting New Hub For Independent Filmmaking - Opening in Summer 2025.

[Wednesday 9 October 2024] - Today, Pinewood Group announced a new market offering being launched in summer 2025, exclusively to support filmmakers in the UK who are taking advantage of the UK’s newly introduced Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC). The announcement of the Pinewood Indie Film Hub coincided with a visit by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who toured the wider Pinewood Studios site.

The new film hub will incorporate sound stages, as well as production offices and ancillary areas such as workshop space. The facility will have support services and packages designed to meet the unique needs of lower budget, independent films – while having access to the Pinewood Studios ecosystem from camera hire to drone photography to post production. Independent producers will also be welcome to use the “Prep Den” to develop their projects before being green-lit. The facility will be serviced by 100% renewable energy sources and available to film productions with budgets that sit within the IFTC framework from summer next year.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Pinewood’s new state-of-the-art facility will be a huge boost for the UK’s indie filmmakers, offering first-rate infrastructure and on-site expertise to bring more British productions to the big screen.

"Together with our new indie film tax relief, we are delivering targeted investment and support for the UK’s world-leading screen industries, designed to inspire more award-winning storytelling, help drive economic growth and strengthen Britain’s competitive advantage in a fierce global market.”

The IFTC Statutory Instrument, which was laid before Parliament today was warmly welcomed by Pinewood and industry leaders.

David Conway, CEO of Pinewood Group

“UK film production is at the heart of Pinewood and Shepperton Studios’ DNA, and our aim with the new Pinewood Indie Film Hub is to further catalyse the independent film sector in the UK, boosting creativity and attracting further investment into the UK. In this highly competitive global market, we welcome the new IFTC and feel it is going to further consolidate the UK’s leading position in the screen industries.”

At the time of the original announcement in the Spring Budget, the IFTC was supported by filmmakers including Barbara Broccoli, Gurinder Chadha, Paul Greengrass, Elizabeth Karlsen, Pippa Harris and David Puttnam.

Barbara Broccoli, producer “This is a good day for independent film in the UK, Pinewood’s allocation of dedicated stages and production space demonstrates a firm commitment to supporting the government’s game changing independent film tax credit. It is essential to the British film industry that independent films get produced and exhibited as this will ensure the promotion of new talent both in front of and behind the screen”

Gurinder Chadha, director, Bend It Like Beckham, Viceroy’s House, Bhaji On The Beach, Bride & Prejudice, Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging

“I have built my career in independent film and am delighted that Pinewood is supporting the independent sector in this way. Along with the government’s strong commitment to British film finance these measures send a strong message to independent filmmakers, that we are valued and supported to make diverse, original stories and content that shows the world who we are as a nation. British cinema and screen industries contribute billions to the UK economy. These measures announced today make great business sense as well as cultural sense.

Paul Greengrass, director, News of the World, Jason Bourne, United 93 “Making Pinewood’s world class facilities affordable and their expertise accessible opens the doors to new stories and talent, this is great news for the UK film industry!”

Pippa Harris, producer, 1917, Empire Of Light, Revolutionary Road

“This new facility at Pinewood Studios combined with the IFTC is a real step in the right direction to support UK filmmakers, particularly those just starting out. We have a wealth of talent in the UK and the industry needs this vital support and provision to keep us at the forefront of creating stories for the big screen.”

Elizabeth Karlsen, producer, Living, Carol, Colette and Little Voice "This is fantastic news all round for Independent film. The Pinewood Independent Film Hub will enable and nurture new creative filmmaking talent to bring their stories to the big screen and help maintain our global reputation. This will have a hugely positive impact on our industry in the UK. I can't wait to come and shoot there."

David Puttnam, producer, Chariots Of Fire, Local Hero, Midnight Express,

"Throughout its long history Pinewood has been home to any number of all-time great movies. It’s imaginatively generous, and brilliantly appropriate for Pinewood to offer the next generation of filmmakers a home from which to tell their stories."

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive “Pinewood’s new studio space and access to high-level production facilities specifically for filmmakers who are now going to be able to make new films here in the UK through the new Independent Film Tax Credit for UK films, is great news for the UK industry. It will also further bolster the UK’s global reputation for making great home-grown films and create opportunities to grow our talent in front of and behind the camera.”

Cllr Martin Tett, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

“Buckinghamshire is one of the most filmed and film friendly counties in the UK with Pinewood at its heart. Pinewood’s new independent film hub will bring more productions to our wealth of unique locations across our county.”