Plans for new film studios at Kingston Marine Park on the River Medina have been given the green light, marking a significant milestone for the team behind Medina Film Studios. The approval has sparked celebrations among the project’s backers, who are now focused on the next steps to bring their vision to life.
Investors backing the project
Earlier in the week Dave Godfrey and Neil Blewett, two of the Medina Film Studios partners, discussed what comes next now that planning permission is secured. A key highlight was the announcement of their main investor, Serious Stages, who are also their construction partner.
Dave Godfrey stated,
“We have our main investor and construction partner, Serious Stages, and they have backed the project to the tune of 50 per cent.”
Serious Stages is well-versed in this field, having delivered stages for big names like Mission Impossible, Netflix, Paramount, Apple TV, Amazon, Disney, and Lucasfilm. Their extensive background also includes staging for major events like the Isle of Wight Festival and Glastonbury, making them an ideal fit for the project.
Plans for the studio complex
The proposed film studios will be built along the River Medina and will feature two 15,000 sq ft and two 10,000 sq ft sound stages, along with 20,000 sq ft of workshops and 14,000 sq ft of office and support facilities. The development will roll out in phases, starting with the construction of half the stages along with offices and workshops.
Dave explained,
“Our aim is to roll that out in a phased way, probably building half of it in terms of stages, with offices and workshops, and add the other two stages slightly further down the road.”
Looking ahead: Seeking further investment
Now that planning permission is secured, the next step for Dave and his partners is to secure the remaining investment needed to complete the project. The team will be returning to a small group of interested investors to find a single partner for the other 50 per cent of the funding.
Dave said,
“We will now sit down around a table and have a bit of a beauty parade with them to seek a single investor for the other half.”
He remains optimistic about the future, noting that interest in the project continues to grow as the industry looks toward a busy 2025.
Neil Blewett also expressed his enthusiasm, despite recent challenges in the film industry. He said,
“2025 is looking really promising and really busy, studios are taking bookings and this is where we want to take advantage of what’s coming down the road.”
A boost for the Island’s economy and job market
The new film studios are expected to bring numerous opportunities to the Isle of Wight, with jobs ranging from highly skilled roles to support positions in various related industries.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, the Cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure, voiced her support for the application, emphasising the potential benefits for the local community.
Julie explained that the development will provide access to many skilled jobs and stimulate peripheral industries. She said,
“With this application, we could bring Hollywood to the Island for a new generation.”
Preparing for a bright future in film production
Dave highlighted the Island’s existing talent pool, noting that there is already a strong network of sound, camera, construction, design, and costume professionals. The project aims to leverage this local expertise, building a database with the Island’s existing production service company.
As the film industry prepares for a resurgence in 2025, the team behind Medina Film Studios is determined to position the Isle of Wight as a key player in this evolving market. With planning permission granted, a solid investor backing and high hopes for further support, the stage is set for a promising future on the River Medina.
