Permissions and Liaison
Bristol Film Office is a one-stop-shop for all filming and photography in the city*. We are a dedicated team within Bristol City Council for productions and locations and can assist with all enquiries and relevant liaisons and permissions.
To make the process as simple as possible, the film office operates a permit system to ensure we have the relevant information to assist. Applications should be submitted to the Bristol Film Office as soon as possible by email or fax using the Filming Permit Application Form and include a risk assessment and a copy of your Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of £5 million.
* Media press (news) film and photography crews are not required to apply for permission to film. Stills photographers working with limited equipment (handheld cameras/tripod/portable lighting stand) are also exempt from the licensing process and need not apply for a filming permit.Download a copy of the permit application form
Further information and guidance is available from the list below:
Guidance on writing a risk assessment
Tips for students and low budget filmmakers
Codes of Conduct and Consultation with Residents
Use of Firearms and Other Weapons
Codes of Conduct and Consultation with Residents
All filmmakers need to read and sign up to the Filmmakers Code of Practice before filming on location in Bristol. This includes detail of timescales involved with informing residents and businesses that will be affected by the shoot.
The following sample letters to residents can be used as templates for your own:
If you are filming on location in Clifton, there is a specific Clifton Code of Conduct to accompany the general code of practice. Both documents should be adhered to when filming in the district of Clifton.
Street Filming
Whilst there is no law preventing anyone filming on public streets, it is an offense to cause an obstruction or to place materials on the highway without appropriate permission.
The Bristol Film Office permit process ensures relevant liaison with the police and highways are made on your behalf and confirms there is nothing planned which could disrupt the shoot. You will be issued an email detailing which streets are covered.
You should be aware that some areas that seem like public streets are actually privately owned or managed. There are a number of other agencies that look after some of Bristol’s public areas such as Millennium Square, Cabot Circus and Broadmead. There are also some residential streets which are privately managed such as the Royal York Crescent in Clifton. You will need permission to film in any of these locations and you will usually be charged a fee. Please contact Bristol Film Office for further advice and up-to-date contacts.
Location filming
Location filming on parks, open spaces and managed estates such as the harbour come under council management and are subject to location fees. Contact Bristol Film Office for further advice on these. Students and charities are exempt from fees other than any staffing costs that may be incurred.
We also have hundreds of private locations listed on the database. Click here to search the online database.
Employing children
If you are employing children in your production, you may need to apply for a license from the Education Welfare Service. Follow the link for the application form and further details.
Use of firearms and other weapons
All filming permissions are approved by the police as well as relevant council officers. If you have any filming involving firearms (real or replicas) or other weapons you need to ensure you follow the legal requirements for these.
Read the HSE guidelines on the management of firearms and other weapons in productions for further information.
Feedback
Bristol Film Office offers a free service to the production industry and promotes the benefits of filming here to key partners, residents and officials. To ensure we can promote filming in Bristol and monitor the amount of income and employment it brings to the city, we ask that all productions complete the location expenditure form.
It's also essential to know what filmmakers experience has been of filming in the city. From the service we have provided at the Film Office to your experience on the ground and the quality of your experience. To help us with this, please complete the feedback form.