Filming In Southampton

Southampton City Council is keen to encourage film and television companies to film in the city and will provide help and assistance where possible.

The council grants filming permissions on council land and premises. 
Locations you are interested in using may belong to the City Council which includes the highway or they may be privately owned. The council’s Events Team can advise on these potential locations, liaise with other council departments on your behalf and pass on contacts of some private locations to assist in the smooth planning and organisation of your film production. 

Need some GVs? View our google map showing some popular locations that have been used to film general views of the city.

Image credit: City Eye

Filming permit process and documentation required

Contact Southampton City Council's Events Team by email filming@southampton.gov.uk
The team can assist you regarding suitable locations if you haven't already got some in mind and also inform you of any other filming projects or major events taking place in the city on your proposed dates.
Note - If your filming enquiry is a "news" type item, in the first instance please contact the Council's Communications Team by email communications@southampton.gov.uk to discuss your request.

Southampton City Council has a duty of care towards its residents and businesses and requires an online film application form to be completed and submitted well in advance of the start of shooting. This allows the council to ensure that appropriate measures have been put in place for filming to run safely, that all relevant documentation has been submitted and that effective liaison with all stakeholders has taken place. You will need to complete and submit the application form with the summary of the film project, proposed date(s) of filming, proposed location(s), number of crew and equipment etc.  If you have any files you are unable to upload due to file size limits, then please email them to filming@southampton.gov.uk with your form submission reference / Film Company name.

Depending on the nature and size of the filming project, the Events Team will liaise on your behalf with relevant members of Southampton’s Safety Advisory Group - which include representatives from Southampton City Council and Hampshire Constabulary who may impose additional conditions to ensure that the proposed shoot is safe and carried out with the minimum of inconvenience. 

Other documentation required

Before a filming permit is issued, you are also required to submit a copy of your Public Liability Insurance cover and a specific risk assessment for the film project. Additional documentation will be required for any applications using a drone including confirmation of drone pilot's CAA certification, insurance, proposed safe TOLP and flight path.

Fees

A fee of a minimum of £90+VAT will be charged by Southampton City Council for filming permissions in Southampton. This includes permission to film on the public highway, professional drone filming and photography or filming general views (GV's) of the city.
There may be additional charges for the use or the hire of council premises like our popular venues SeaCity Museum, Tudor House, Southampton City Art Gallery and Medieval Vaults or the use of council land and recovery of staff time.   

Due to the variable nature of filming requests the council does not operate a set tariff of film charges as no two film projects are the same and so every production charge will be calculated on an individual basis and discussed with you along with any other potential costs you may incur for things like road closures or suspension of parking bays. You will be invoiced for any agreed film permit fees.

Terms and Conditions

Please take time to read the general terms and conditions for filming in the city.  

Use of drones

Professional film or photography crew requesting to film with a drone, must follow the drone code to ensure that members of the public are protected and drone operators must also respect the privacy of people on the ground.

You can find details about the requirements to fly a drone commercially from the CAA website
View the Drone Code.

Please contact filming@southampton.gov.uk if you wish to request the use council land or council property as a safe take-off / landing zone to film with a drone. 

Do you need to apply for a temporary road closure or traffic signals?

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is used to temporarily restrict the movement of traffic or impose waiting restrictions on the public highway. In order to allow sufficient time for the legal process to be completed, Balfour Beatty require a minimum of 8 weeks advanced notice to arrange a TTRO.  Email  Southamptontma@balfourbeatty.com to discuss any temporary road closure or traffic signal requests.

Looking for a location in Southampton or within Hampshire?

Filming in England

Creative England’s Filming In England Production Services team are the first port of call for productions looking to film in England, outside of London. Funded by the BFI, the national team offer free comprehensive production support to feature film and high-end TV. Working alongside their Film Office partners and Regional and National networks, they are on hand to help at every stage of production, from early feasibility to post.

From people to places, the production team can help you find and access the industry's finest, liaising with local authorities, film offices, regional and national partners to gain filming permissions and facilitate a smooth shoot. Handling around 1,000 enquiries a year, they have supported TV and feature film drama, including Fox Pictures’ The Monuments Men, Warner Bros.’ Jupiter Ascending, and DNA Films’ Far from the Madding Crowd, Hartswood Films’ Sherlock, Origin Pictures’ Jamaica Inn and Mr Selfridge for ITV Studios.

The regionally-based, national team will help you conduct a more extensive search and provide a bespoke service, managing your enquiry and ensuring you are speaking to the right person - for filming in the South East contact: Production Liaison and Partnerships Manager (South), Creative England. Email production@creativeengland.co.uk | Filming in England Website  |  Filming in England Locations Database

City Eye

City Eye is an independent charity that inspires and supports individuals and communities to experience and be changed by film.

They offer professional development, support and training, screening events and networking opportunities to people working in the industry and those who aspire to.

View the City Eye website for further information - if you are looking for local resources and film crew for your production, they may be able to assist.

Film Expo South - The Hampshire Film Office

Film Expo South enables regional film makers to network and forge new relationships, and hear from industry experts who are happy to share their insight, experience and expertise.

The team also run The Hampshire Film Office which highlights the talent, the skilled crew and the many professional business services and facilities that Hampshire has to offer the Film and TV Industry seeking to film the South and hold a local locations database. Contact the team for more information and advice for local film locations in Hampshire on 0844 272 0016 or email: team@hampshirefilmoffice.org or team@filmexposouth.co.uk | Hampshire Film Office Website