Did you know that Brighton & Hove was the site of some of the earliest activity in the film industry anywhere in the world?

During the Edwardian era several of the key pioneers lived and worked here, including William Friese-Greene, Esmé Collings, James Williamson and George Albert Smith. Discover more about Hove's role in the birth of early cinema at the film gallery of Hove Museum & Art Gallery.

Apart from being a convenient and familiar seaside site within easy reach of London, Brighton & Hove also had a widespread reputation for its Regency connections and laid back leisurely attitude, its reputation extended even to Hollywood.

Brighton on the screen

As well as its behind the scenes contribution to early film production, Brighton has also made quite a few star turns in front of the camera. And whilst many cities stand in for places such as Moscow or New York, key locations in Brighton, such as the station, Royal Pavilion, Pier or King's Road Arches are usually just too visually familiar to be anywhere else. Just think of some of the beachfront scenes in Quadrophenia or the black and white noir shots in Brighton Rock. From the intense realism of Brighton Rock to the wartime emotions of End of the Affair, many films have been set or partly shot in key locations around Brighton & Hove. 

Brighton & Hove has also featured in a lot of TV programmes including guest spots in Only Fools & Horses and Eastenders.  The BBC police drama Cuffs was based entirely in Brighton and many of the scenes for BBC's Life in Squares, depicting the life and times of the Bloomsbury group, were shot at Charleston where Virginia Woolf, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and others stayed. Brighton can also be seen on screen in the television adaptations of Peter James' bestselling crime novels featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. 

CINECITY Film Festival

Brighton also has its very own annual film festival, CINE-CITY, which celebrates the moving image every November with an eclectic mix of premieres, previews, classics and home-grown digital adventures. With different themes every year, it's a must for film lovers.

Filming in the City

If you are interested in filming in the city then please refer to the Brighton & Hove City Council website for details and to download an application form.