The British film industry is riding high, and for once, it's not just the period dramas and stiff upper lips grabbing the headlines. Millie Bobby Brown, the star of the Enola Holmes franchise, has been talking about the 'belly laughs' on set, and it's a reminder that our homegrown productions are now a global force. But beneath the glitz of Netflix premieres, there's a story about the real economy: the jobs, the wages, and the regional investment that come with this boom.
Let's not kid ourselves. The film industry is a tantalising prospect for young people in the North, where I grew up. It offers a chance to escape the cycle of low-paid service work. But the reality is often precarious: short-term contracts, long hours, and a postcode lottery of opportunity. While London and the South East hoover up the lion's share of production, places like Manchester and Leeds are fighting for scraps. The Enola Holmes series was filmed largely in London, but it could have been elsewhere.
Take the recent strikes by actors and writers in the US. They were fighting for fair pay and residuals in the streaming age. British workers face the same battle. The Screen Actors Guild may have won concessions, but here, unions like Equity are still pushing for better conditions on sets from Pinewood to Yorkshire. When a star like Brown laughs about the fun on set, it's easy to forget the crew working 14-hour days without overtime.
Yet, there is good news. The government's film tax relief has been a lifeline, attracting big-budget productions and creating thousands of jobs. The British Film Institute reports that the sector contributed over £8 billion to the economy last year. That's real money in people's pockets, from set builders to caterers. But the challenge is ensuring those jobs are decent ones, with pensions and security.
For the average punter, the success of British films means more than just popcorn entertainment. It's a source of national pride and a rare bright spot in a tough economic landscape. As the cost of living bites, the idea that we can produce world-beating culture is a comfort. But we need to make sure the people who make it happen are not left behind.
So, while we celebrate the belly laughs and the box office triumphs, let's keep a close eye on the balance sheet. The British film industry is a success story, but its greatest sequel could be securing fair pay and regional balance. Otherwise, the only people laughing all the way to the bank will be the ones already there.
