Leeds has been a hub for film in the North of England since the start of the 20th century.
It was here where one of cinema’s pioneers, Louis Le Prince, shot some of the world’s first moving images that would make up the famous short film, the Roundhay Garden scene.
Ever since, there have been studios and film projects alongside leading actors and directors all born in the city.
With SAE launching its Leeds campus in 2025, we’ll explore some of the resources, studios and companies making Leeds a hub for film production. If you’re looking to join a course at our new Leeds campus, then get in touch with our team now…
Screen Yorkshire
Established in 2002, Screen Yorkshire has been working to develop Yorkshire’s global reputation as a centre for excellence in visual media through a variety of different initiatives.
Its work includes sourcing local production talent and locations to support projects such as Gentleman Jack and the Crown.
The organisation is also behind the Yorkshire Content Fund, a public-private investment fund for the TV, film, video game and digital sectors. Other notable success stories include iconic British films, such as the BAFTA-award-winning This is England.
Leeds Film
Leeds Film is the umbrella organisation for a range of different film events and festivals in the city. It delivers and supports film culture through festivals and year-round activities and is supported by the British Film Institute (BFI).
These include the Leeds International Film Festival, an event featuring a range of exclusive screenings, workshops and support initiatives. For aspiring filmmakers in the early stages of their creative journeys, Leeds Young Film Festival showcases a carefully curated selection of short films, feature films and documentaries, as well as a new VR Cinema Experience and Movie Club.
Leeds Film is part of the Arts, Events and Venues function at Leeds City Council.
Channel 4
The Majestic is the home of Channel 4, the former nightclub that inspired the Kaiser Chief’s I Predict a Riot hit single.
When the broadcaster opened its Leeds location, it anticipated that more than 200 of its staff would work from the base. Regular news bulletins for the flagship Channel 4 news show are now broadcast from the city’s studio.
Councillor James Lewis said in a 2023 interview on the impact of the broadcaster coming to the city: “The wider film and television industry is seeing Yorkshire as a real growth area at the moment, not just in terms of locations of studios and facilities, but we’re starting to see that some of the wider infrastructure around businesses that go on to develop talent.”
Prime Studios
Since opening in 2012, Prime Studios has become one of the most important facilities of its kind in the North of England.
Prime Studios has its own 4K enabled 7.1.4 3D Audio Dolby Atmos cinema with a 19x9FT screen alongside various studios and an events space.
Recent credits include TV productions such as Bank of Dave (Netflix/Fae Films), The ABC Murders (BBC One), and Girlfriends (ITV) alongside independent feature films Official Secrets, Hope Gap, Book of Monsters and Attack of The Adult Babies. Prime Studios has also been the base for music shoots for artists including Nicki Minaj and commercials for big brands such as Adidas and Lloyds TSB.
Film Hub North
Film Hub North is supported by National Lottery funding and aims to work with projects across the North of England, including Leeds.
Although based out of Manchester and nearby Sheffield, the organisation offers funding, networking and training opportunities as part of its work in Leeds.
It provides platforms including its Film Generator and Creative Producer Lab to help aspiring filmmakers get their fledgling projects off the ground.
Recently, Film Hub North ran Northern Exposure, a touring film programme showcasing the best short films from the North of England with a stop off in Leeds.
Hyde Park Picture House
Since opening in 1914, the Hyde Park Picture House has become a much-cherished local cinema, showing a range of international and UK-based films and screenings.
Named as the “cosiest” cinema in Leeds, the picture house has seen various iterations over its life span with the Friends of Hyde Park Picture House set up in the eighties to help keep the doors open.
It was taken over by Leeds Council in 1989 with extensive renovation work undertaken in 2021 to restore the building, expand capacity and add a second screen in the basement.
Leeds Queer Film Festival
Launched in 2005, the Leeds Queer Film Festival is a celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema with the first event run by Queer Mutiny North, a D-I-Y collective that put on free queer events and gatherings in the Leeds area.
Fast forward to the present day and the event will be marking its 20th anniversary in March 2025 in a new venue – the festival has roamed across the city using different spaces including the Hyde Park Picture House and Wharf Chambers as bases. The programme often features a wide range of screenings, workshops and much more.
True North
True North is a film production company with offices in both Leeds and Manchester and creates content that’s watched across various platforms and regions.
The business was launched in 2002 and has since been involved in documentaries and series in true crime, current affairs, history and more.
On site, the business now includes post-production facilities for editing and dubbing while recent content success stories includes Evicted: Tenants on the Edge, Teen Mom UK, The Antiques Brothers and Warship: Life in the Navy.
Duck Soup
Founded by producers Bekki Wray-Rogers, Libby Durdy and Jessica Holyland, Duck Soup Films is a relatively new company based in Leeds working on films and drama series.
The team worked on This is England and Utopia before launching this latest venture, which has been backed by Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund.
According to the company, their “projects aim to take global audiences on an entertaining and thought-provoking journey exploring contemporary and resonant themes” with Lost Boys & Fairies their debut series screened by the BBC.
Find out more (Photo credit – Prolific North)
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