City of Edinburgh Council signs up to new Film Charter

April 2014. Edinburgh's SNP/Labour coalition confirms its commitment to filming in the city by adopting a renewed Film Charter. This is a very positive step in support of Edinburgh's film-friendly reputation, assuring filmmakers of a welcoming reception. The Charter seals the relationship with Film Edinburgh as the first port of call for filmmakers interested in coming to Edinburgh, charging us with advising filmmakers about filming in the city and coordinating large-scale exterior filming. It confirms that every effort will be made to facilitate filmmakers' requests and notes that there is a nominated liaison person within each Council service who will deal competently and quickly with filmmaker enquiries. Finally, it outlines council policy in regard to fees.

The Charter sits alongside a renewed Code of Practice for Filmmakers which takes into account changes including the introduction of tramlines.

Edinburgh was one of the first cities in the UK to adopt a Film Charter in 1999, and several cities took their lead from the Scottish capital. The renewal of the Charter and Code of Practice follows on from changes including the transfer of local authority leadership and changes within council departments, and the merger of the film office into Marketing Edinburgh and subsequent rebrand as Film Edinburgh.