April 13, 2026
Celebrating 20 Years of Kent Film Office
Margate, Kent
Kent is a filming location that crews come back to time and time again. This year, Filming in England Partnership Members Kent Film Office (KFO) are celebrating 20 years of supporting film and TV production. In that time, the Film Office has been integral to why the county has stayed firmly on the industry’s radar.
Gabrielle Lindemann, Film Officer at Kent Film Office, reflects on her time developing the film-facilitation service for the county:
“When I started the Kent Film Office, I was far from sure if we could make it a success: no public or private money for development of the sector; no major studio base or build spaces, nor close enough to any to avoid overnights; no particular urban or business centre in the county; hardly any crew or suppliers; busy roads and 12 districts and one unitary to be convinced of the merits of the enterprise
As not much of the above has changed in the last 20 years, I believe that KFO is a good example that running a film office is not primarily about sending out nice location brochures, but that excellent customer service is the key to longevity“
Hayley Armstrong, Head of Production Services at Filming in England, comments:
“As Kent Film Office celebrates an incredible 20 years, we are delighted to congratulate them on this milestone anniversary. As one of the longest-standing and most respected Film Offices in the UK, their leadership and dedication have helped shape the national filming landscape.
From being founding members of Creative England’s Filming in England Partnership to consistently championing local talent, locations, and businesses, Kent Film Office has set the standard for what a proactive, community‑focused Film Office can achieve.
Over the past two decades, their work has brought outstanding productions to the county, generating invaluable exposure, economic benefits, and opportunities for residents and local businesses alike. Congratulations on 20 years of impact and achievement.“
Why Kent keeps delivering
There’s no single reason productions return to Kent, but multiple factors play into this; from locations to film office expertise, strong crew bases and the strength of the customer service delivered.
Kent offers a vast range of locations, such as Penshurst Place, Dover Castle, Margate andThe Historic Dockyard Chatham, all within easy reach of each other (and London). For busy productions, that kind of flexibility is essential.
Plus, there’s the practicality. Locations that look good on screen also need to work behind the scenes and Kent consistently manages to do both. This is reflected in the wide range of productions filmed there, from brand new series Fuze to Bridgerton, Empire of Light, Wuthering Heights and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The role of the Film Office
Kent Film Office’s production support and expertise have built its reputation over the past two decades.
The team provides a free, end-to-end service for productions, helping with everything from sourcing locations and arranging recces to navigating permits and coordinating on the ground.
Led by Gabrielle Lindemann, the Film Office team – alongside Liz White and Abi Lendrum – provides day‑to‑day support, working closely with productions to ensure shoots run smoothly from initial enquiry through to wrap.
Making filming work locally
One of the less visible parts of a film office’s role is also one of the most important: maintaining strong relationships with the people and places that make filming possible.
KFO works closely with local authorities, residents and businesses to ensure productions run smoothly and responsibly. That might mean careful planning around road use, clear communication with communities, alongside being present and responsive during a shoot.
It’s not always the most visible work but it’s what keeps locations film-friendly in the long term.
Kent’s strength in partnership
Part of Kent’s continued success also comes from how it connects into the wider industry.
As a long-standing member of the Filming in England Partnership, the Kent Film Office is part of our partnership network which unites a diverse range of film-friendly organisations across England, outside of London, championing filming across the English regions.
For productions, a joined-up approach makes a real difference. It means local knowledge is backed by national coordination, helping projects move more easily between regions while maintaining consistency and support on the ground.
20 years of impact
Over the past 20 years, filming in Kent has generated more than £85 million in inward investment.
This spend is felt across local economies from accommodation and catering to transport and local services. But just as importantly, it’s helped build a growing skills base in the region, with hundreds of trainees supported into the industry.
For productions, that translates into something increasingly valuable: access to experienced local crew alongside great locations.
Looking ahead
Reaching a 20-year milestone offers a chance to reflect but also to look forward. Demand for filming across the UK continues to grow, and with it, the need for places that can offer not just great locations, but the infrastructure and support to match. Kent is well positioned on both fronts. And while Kent’s reputation often brings productions in, it’s the experience, relationships and people behind it that keep them coming back.
To learn more about Kent Film Office, visit their website here.
For filming enquiries across the English regions, outside of London, get in touch with our Filming in England team on production@creativeengland.co.uk
