UK inward investment film spending fell 40% during the first nine months of 2026, according to British Film Institute statistics released on 10 November.
Combined film and high-end television production spending reached approximately £4.1 billion, down 25.5% against the comparable initial figures for 2025.
Feature-film spending fell 37% to £1.28 billion, although 123 films began production, compared with 120 a year earlier. Inward investment productions accounted for approximately 87% of feature-film expenditure, or £1.1 billion.
International film co-production spending increased 31% to £68 million, albeit from a considerably smaller base.
The contrasting figures raise questions for regional film offices and location businesses about how changing production budgets are affecting filming activity across the UK.
The headline statistics do not establish where the reduction in spending has been concentrated or its impact on individual filming destinations.
