BFI Funding Boost Set to Strengthen Berkshire’s Growing Film and TV Sector

2nd June 2026

The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced a major new investment of £11.85 million to support screen production workforce development and training across the UK, with Berkshire among the regions set to benefit.

As part of the funding, BFI Skills Cluster Berkshire (Screen Berkshire) has been awarded £600,000 over the next three years to continue developing skills, training and career pathways within the local film and television industry.

Led by Resource Productions, the Berkshire cluster brings together key regional partners including the University of Reading, Shadowbox Studios Shinfield, Berkshire Film Office and Amazon MGM Studios. The programme aims to strengthen the local workforce, address industry skills gaps and create more opportunities for people to build careers within the screen sector.

The investment comes as the UK film and high-end television industry continues to experience significant growth, with production spend reaching £6.8 billion in 2025. The BFI Skills Clusters programme was established to ensure local production hubs have access to the skilled workforce needed to support both domestic and international productions while creating opportunities for people to work in the industry closer to home.

The previous phase of the programme saw more than 26,000 people benefit from training opportunities across the UK, including mentoring programmes, paid traineeships and support for new entrants. The next phase will expand this work while also introducing professional development programmes for mid-career workers and training in emerging areas such as sustainability and the effective and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency (REDA), a partner of Screen Berkshire, has welcomed the continued investment and the opportunities it will create for the wider Berkshire region, including Reading.

Mark Pearson, Head of Economic Development at REDA, said: "Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency (REDA) are pleased to contribute to and support the progression of the film sector through Screen Berkshire; with the ultimate goal of enhancing and promoting opportunities for business and jobs through the Lights Camera Business brand."

The funding reinforces Berkshire’s growing reputation as a centre for screen production, supported by world-class facilities such as Shadowbox Studios in Shinfield and a strong network of industry, education and public-sector partners working together to develop talent and attract investment.

The BFI has also announced a further £2.85 million of funding to expand the Skills Clusters programme into additional areas of the UK where production activity is growing, demonstrating its continued commitment to supporting the future workforce of the screen industries.

For Berkshire, the investment represents another positive step in building a thriving screen sector that can create jobs, develop skills and drive economic growth across the region.