Creative Industries

Reading is a key destination for film production, with world-class facilities and a thriving creative community. Major resources in the area include Shadowbox Studios Shinfield and the University of Reading’s Cine Valley, alongside a diverse range of film locations and industry-leading venues in Reading. 

The film sector in the Thames Valley is supported by Screen Berkshire, a dynamic partnership of Berkshire-based film production companies, studios, and the University of Reading. This collaboration aims to provide training and create pathways to employment within the film and television industries, strengthening the local talent pool. 

Shadowbox Studios Shinfield is home to high-profile productions like Netflix’s Bridgerton, Disney’s Star Wars: The Acolyte, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The studios have 18 fully soundproofed and air-conditioned stages, with a 9-acre filming backlot, 38 workshops, 125,000 sq.ft of offices, sustainable production facilities, including post-production services. Being close to these world-class studios offers an ideal location for businesses in the film industry. 

Reading’s creative sector is growing rapidly, with employment in the industry seeing the second-highest growth in the UK, after London. The sector employs over 40,000 people across nearly 5,000 businesses, contributing to 11% of the city’s total employment. 

Screen Berkshire 

Screen Berkshire, officially launched in October 2023, is the BFI Berkshire Skills for Screen Cluster, designed to connect and support the local film and TV industry. The cluster is a collaborative effort led by Resource Productions CIC, the University of Reading, Shadowbox Studios Shinfield, Bedlam Film Productions, Amazon MGM Studios, REDA, and the Berkshire Film Office, representing the councils of Wokingham, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead, Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Reading. 

Screen Berkshire serves as a bridge between local residents, freelance crews, training providers, studios, suppliers and content producers. The initiative focuses on identifying skills gaps, providing training, and developing clear pathways to employment within the film and television industries.