Film & TV in Bristol

Are you ready for your close up? Not only is Bristol a recognised featured location in its own right, but it’s also a hot bed of production for many TV programmes and films. As a result, it was awarded UNESCO City of Film status in 2017. More recently the city celebrated it's film heritage with Film2021. 2021 marked the centenary of the death of Bristol-born film pioneer William Friese-Greene. It was also the 125th anniversary of the first public cinema screening in Bristol, which took place at the Tivoli on 8 June 1896.

There's a thriving film and TV industry in the city, which is home to Aardman Animations and BBC Bristol as a starter for ten. Incidentally, major motion picture Starter for Ten, starring James McAvoy was one of the many movies filmed in Bristol too.

The Bristol Film Office offer support services to productions planning to film in the city and also have put together the location maps that are featured in this section of the website. For more information about the work they do, click here. 

As mentioned, Bristol is a UNESCO City of Film. It is one of just 18 in the world and you can see what all awarded cities are currenlty working with their showcase website; enhancing the international collaboration within the network.

Throughout the years, Bristol has been chosen as a filming location for many famous productions from Only Fools and Horses, Casualty and Robin of Sherwood to Sherlock,  Skins and The Outlaws. More recently productions have included Stephen Merchant's The Outlaws, Becoming Elizabeth and The Last Bus.

We've also been home to some famous movie faces and names including Cary Grant, Hugo Weaving, Jeremy Irons and even David Prowse who played Darth Vader!

As well as actors, we like to cultivate new creative talent amongst film-makers and producers too and the Annual Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival is Europe's leading short film festival and offers a gateway to the likes of the BAFTAS, Oscars and European Film Awards.

We also have a brilliant selection of cinemas in the city, from Watershed and Arnolfini showcasing a range of independent films, to the volunteer-run Cube Cinema bringing a more unusual cinema programme to the city. If you're in the mood for a more luxurious experience, get cosy on a sofa at the Everyman Cinema or choose from 13 screens at the Showcase Cinema de Lux.

And Bristol is not just Bristol. It’s Victorian London, Holby, Peckham, Cornwall, Medieval England…in fact, you’ll be surprised just how much you may have seen of Bristol already. Discover our filming locations blogs below and make sure to seek some out on your next visit to Bristol.