Blockbuster Breakthrough: Birmingham Hosts Landmark World Screen Tourism Summit

Published on February 20, 2025

Birmingham takes center stage as it hosts the World Screen Tourism Summit 2025, uniting global experts to explore film tourism’s impact on travel and branding.

Birmingham to Host Global Film Tourism Summit, Unlocking New Investment for the West Midlands

The West Midlands is set to take center stage in the global film tourism industry as Birmingham gears up to host the World Screen Tourism Summit in November. Industry experts will gather to discuss strategies for leveraging film and television productions to boost tourism, enhance destination branding, and improve visitor engagement.

As film and TV productions increasingly choose the West Midlands as their backdrop, the region stands to gain from fresh investment. The West Midlands Growth Company has introduced a comprehensive 24-page screen guide, showcasing the area’s diverse filming locations—some of which qualify for tax incentives and reduced rates, making them attractive to international studios.

A Growing Hub for Film and Television

Following the success of major Hollywood productions filmed in the region, Visit Britain has launched a promotional campaign to position the West Midlands as a premier filming destination.

Blockbuster hits have already left their mark. In 2021, Tom Cruise was spotted filming an intense chase scene for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One at Birmingham’s Grand Central, doubling as a Dubai airport. Similarly, in 2016, Steven Spielberg transformed Birmingham’s cityscape into a dystopian future for Ready Player One, thrilling onlookers as dramatic chase sequences played out in the Jewellery Quarter.

The Rise of “Set-Jetting” Tourism

These productions have sparked an influx of “set-jetters”—film enthusiasts who travel to visit locations featured in their favorite movies and shows. With 70% of UK visitors engaging in set-jetting experiences, film tourism is proving to be a powerful economic driver.

The hospitality industry, still recovering from the pandemic, is eager to capitalize on this trend. Local hotels and restaurants hope to benefit from what’s being called the “Tom Cruise effect,” where the presence of A-list stars boosts visitor numbers long after filming wraps.

A New Era for the West Midlands Film Industry

As Hollywood studios diversify production locations due to rising costs in Los Angeles, Europe has become an increasingly attractive alternative. The West Midlands, with its rich cultural heritage and cinematic potential, aims to position itself as a major player in this shifting landscape.

The upcoming SET-JET 25 Summit in Birmingham is expected to open new doors for investment, fostering opportunities for young talent eager to break into the industry.

Speculation is already mounting that Steven Knight’s upcoming Netflix-backed Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, has filmed scenes at the Black Country Living Museum—a location closely associated with the hit TV series. While details remain under wraps, the museum has long been a favorite among fans of the show.

A Legacy of Iconic Productions

Beyond Hollywood, the West Midlands has played a crucial role in British film and television history. Coventry was the backdrop for the 1968 classic The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, while Birmingham’s School of Jewellery hosted BBC’s All That Glitters, leading to a surge of interest in jewelry-making courses.

With the region’s screen industry contributing an estimated £1.1 billion to the local economy and employing over 16,000 people, marketing its film locations effectively is more important than ever.

As the global spotlight turns to Birmingham this November, the World Screen Tourism Summit promises to be a game-changer—positioning the West Midlands as a thriving hub for film, tourism, and investment.