Screen London Barnet: pioneering alliance launched at Brent Cross to boost film production and jobs across the Borough

Middlesex University, Barnet Council, Barnet and Southgate College and Troubadour Brent Cross Studios will help young people progress into screen, film and TV production roles

Screen London Barnet was launched yesterday (1/9), at Troubadour Brent Cross Studios, with education, industry and government partners signing an agreement to work together so Barnet is as well placed as possible for the screen, film and TV industries to create productions and jobs. Middlesex University, Barnet Council, Barnet and Southgate College and Troubadour Brent Cross Studios are the founding partners of this new alliance.

Barnet is already home to major studio facilities - including Troubadour Brent Cross Studios - and is experiencing rising demand for local talent, training and production services. The borough is a fantastic location for the creative industry as it sits between central London and major production studios like Elstree, Leavesden, and Shepperton, at the heart of the West London production corridor which accounts for nearly a quarter of all UK screen jobs.

The Barnet Screen Skills Plan aligns with both the UK Government’s 2025 Modern Industrial Strategy Creative Industries Sector Plan which commits more than £100 million to sector growth, and Barnet’s Growth Strategy, which aims to develop an entrepreneurial borough with more job opportunities. The new partnership is underpinned by Barnet Council’s Screen Skills Plan which will establish the Borough as a leading hub in the UK’s growing screen industries including film, television, animation, gaming, immersive technologies, and digital media.

Part of Screen London Barnet is the new MDX Studios at Middlesex University, which will be a one-stop shop for content development and production. By providing real world experience to Middlesex students on their productions, the industry will have lower cost access to space, crew, support services like accounting and marketing, and partnerships for research and innovation. Future creative industries programmes at Middlesex will include embedded placements at MDX Studios, to equip students with skills for screen and production roles.

Leaders from all partners attended the event on 1 September along with guests from education, industry and local government.

“I’m delighted and proud to be here today. This new partnership promises to revolutionise the Creative Industries here in North London.

“We know many young people are passionate about pursuing creative careers but are uncertain of their path into the sector. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds without connections or a financial safety net often feel they cannot follow their dream profession. All of us here find that unacceptable. Our vision is to develop a workforce that is sustainable and diverse and that is why our new alliance is so valuable.”

Middlesex University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shân Wareing

Cllr Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “Barnet has a strong record of attracting innovation and investment and Screen London Barnet is the next step in ensuring our residents benefit from the opportunities created in the creative industries across the borough. Through our Screen Skills Plan we are laying the foundations to make Barnet a prominent hub for film, TV and digital media while creating new training and job opportunities for local people.”

While the creative industries are one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors, the current landscape offers a mixed environment for jobs. The BFI Skills Review 2022 identified a critical shortage of skilled individuals to meet growing demand while 2024 research from Bectu highlighted the sector’s lack of inclusivity.  Middlesex University’s future creative industries programmes will include virtual production and post-production; visual effects; music and sound for screen; and immersive media and extended reality. 

By embedding live production studios like MDX Studios and Barnet and Southgate College Studio onto campuses, and driving forward the Barnet Screen Skills Plan, the Screen London Barnet partnership will support students from all backgrounds to access screen careers, building a talent pipeline and the closing skills gaps.

Barnet and Southgate College Studio opened in 2024. CEO of the College, Neil Coker, highlighted the facilities and opportunities it provides: “Our studio offers qualifications in Music Production, Media Production, Games Development and VFX to more than 200 students. The £2.2 million facility, funded by the College and the Department for Education through the Local Skills Improvement Fund, houses a state-of-the-art, industry-standard TV and music studio, alongside a high-specification gaming and VFX Studio.

“Barnet and Southgate College, as a co-founder of Screen London, will provide exceptional training and real-world work experiences to our students and, through this, equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into higher level training and into jobs.”

Vincent Woods, Head of Studios at Troubadour Studios, said: “This is certainly a great time to give passionate students and graduates the opportunity to get their foot in the door. To build up that experience and knowledge one can only get from being in the mix as part of a production whether it be in the production team, art department, costume, electrical, or camera team.  We are proud of our record of supporting new talent in all aspects of the entertainment industry on stage and screen.”