Eastbourne has seen a record breaking 95% increase in filming in 2005, making the town one of the most sought after locations in the South East. Eastbourne was not only the chosen setting for several feature films but also as the backdrop for numerous adverts, pop videos and stills photography for a wide variety of magazines.
Filming highlights of last year included a three day shoot by 20th Century Fox for Notes on a Scandal starring Dame Judi Dench and Kate Blanchette, who both stayed in Eastbourne. The film, based on a book by Booker Prize nominated author Zoe Heller, is due to be premiered later this year. Harry Potter fans were proud to know that Warner Brothers shot the Quidditch World Cup scene on Beachy Head.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Strategy, Democracy, Human Resources and Equalities, Councillor Barbara Goodall, says, “It really is good news that Eastbourne continues to be so popular as a venue for filming.
"With so many different types of location from the Marina, the sea front and the Downs, it is no wonder that film producers find Eastbourne an ideal location".
Eastbourne was also chosen for filming scenes for the cult series Little Britain, the ever popular Foyles War, the ITV drama Best Man and the comedy Green Wing.
This year Eastbourne has already provided the location for an episode of Ray Mears Wild Food, and for four projects shot by a local film school which highlights Eastbourne’s commitment to encouraging talent of the future. The highest chalk cliffs in the country at Beachy Head and miles of unspoilt promenade continue to be a major attraction for location managers and film crews.
