The UK’s status as the “Hollywood of Europe” is under pressure. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee now warns against complacency in light of last week’s proposals from President Trump. Guided by chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, the committee has sounded an important alarm bell. They argue that, if implemented, these proposals would jeopardize the UK’s booming film industry, which employs a deeply skilled labor pool and boasts world-class production infrastructure.
British filmmaking has never been as popular on the world stage. Blockbuster productions, including the newly released “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, have been filmed in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. The UK has no shortage of studios and skilled professionals able to implement these kinds of projects. This has made it an appealing place for filmmakers to escape the often exorbitant costs of Hollywood.
It’s a great illustration of just how deep the talent runs in the UK film industry. Kirsty Bell, founder & CEO of Goldfinch Productions, stated, “We have extreme talent here in every area of filmmaking and to deny those people the opportunity to work is soul destroying.” Her sentiments represent a growing fear within the industry about the damage that US tariffs will inflict.
The new tariffs threaten the heart and soul of the UK’s vibrant and productive film industry. This industry is dependent on American investment to build production facilities and attract talent. Philippa Childs, head of media and entertainment trade union Bectu, emphasized the precarious situation, noting, “These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knock-out blow to an industry that is only just recovering and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.”
Ben Charles Edwards, CEO of Dreamtown Entertainment, explained how the UK’s abundance of studios provides an advantage. He remarked, “We have a plethora of studios up and down the UK. It is those sort of things the rest of the world will be looking at.” He said he was optimistic that America would return to production discussions. This would help create new opportunities for the UK to position itself to benefit from the developing situation.
Concerns about investor confidence loom large. Actor Tamer Hassan articulated this fear, stating, “It’s going to cause unrest and fear, especially within investors, that’s our biggest hurdle.” The lack of clarity for the tariffs has left an underlying anxiety among all industry stakeholders that depend on a thriving film ecosystem.
Dame Caroline Dinenage echoed these sentiments, stating that President Trump’s announcement has starkly illustrated the committee’s previous warnings about complacency. Just last month the Culture, Media and Sport Committee cautioned against complacency on our position as the Hollywood of Europe. And yet President Trump’s recent announcement has brought that warning all too real,” she observed.
Calls for action have snowballed from all different corners. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on the Prime Minister to work with European and Commonwealth partners to meet these threats to security and democracy. His remarks included a provocative challenge to President Trump: “Will the prime minister work with our allies in Europe and in the Commonwealth and make clear to President Trump that if he picks a fight with James Bond, Bridget Jones and Paddington Bear, he will lose?”
While President Trump has indicated a desire to “meet with the industry” to ensure satisfaction with his proposals, many industry leaders question whether he fully understands the complexities of the global film market. One unnamed Whitehall source said that if you made it more difficult to shoot in the UK, you’d be attacking American businesses. They plugged at least in the UK’s successful returns on investments in talent and facilities as evidence.