The British Film Commission officially designated the West Midlands as the U.K.'s eighth regional production hub for scripted inward investment for film and high-end TV, according to Variety. The designation follows the success of locally-rooted content. The independently-financed UK action movie 'This is Birmingham' peaked at number five on Prime Video UK's top ten films, Deadline reported.

The BBC plans to establish its future regional headquarters in The Tea Factory in Digbeth, Variety also noted. Official movements channel investment into new UK regional hubs, shaping the UK and Ireland film and TV production update for 2026. However, independent productions from Ireland are simultaneously proving that grassroots projects can achieve international critical success with targeted public support.

The UK and Ireland's film and TV industries appear poised for a more diverse and geographically distributed future, driven by both strategic investment and independent creative strength.

  • The British Film Commission named the West Midlands as the U.K.'s eighth official regional production hub for scripted inward investment for film and high-end TV, according to Variety.
  • The BBC plans to establish its future regional headquarters in The Tea Factory in Digbeth, Variety reported.
  • The independently-financed UK action movie 'This is Birmingham' peaked at number five on Prime Video UK's top ten films, Deadline noted.
  • 'This is Birmingham' is being adapted into a TV series, Deadline also stated.
  • Irish produced documentary ‘The Balkan Cowboy’ has been selected for the Competition Programme – Documentary Feature at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, according to IFTN.
  • ‘The Balkan Cowboy’ forms part of Screen Ireland's 2026 Production Slate and is supported by an Arts Council Project Award, IFTN also reported.

The independently-financed UK action movie 'This is Birmingham' peaked at number five on Prime Video UK's top ten films. The commercial success was achieved before the West Midlands received its official designation as a production hub. The film is now being adapted into a TV series, according to Deadline.