Is Lollywood gradually taking shape?

The Hollywood Reporter notes that London is becoming the "new Hollywood" as American filmmakers, production companies, and movie stars flock there. Many choose to buy homes and live permanently.

According to the British Film Institute, between October 2024 and September 2025, approximately £6.5 billion was spent on film production in the UK. Data from Film London also indicates that around £10 billion has been invested in film in London over the past five years; approximately 27 film crews are shooting daily at various locations in the city. In the past year, major projects have included: “The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event”, “Narnia: The Magician's Nephew” (pictured), “Avengers: Doomsday”, “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”, “Tomb Raider”…

Filmmaker Price James, who frequently works between Los Angeles and London, says: “London has long been home to some of the best film crews in the world , especially in the field of visual effects and special effects. Besides its professionalism and modernity, London also boasts world-class studios like Pinewood and Shepperton. London's appeal to stars is different from Hollywood.”

According to industry data provider Luminate, the UK is now the most popular film location (alongside the US and Canada) thanks to its diverse and modern film studios, from Pinewood and Ealing to the Shinfield complex. Besides studios, modern technology, and a highly skilled workforce, the UK also offers extremely favorable policies for international filmmakers and producers. In fact, UK tax incentives are among the most competitive in the world, with net tax rebates potentially reaching 39.75%.

London, and the UK in general, also attract significant investment from online platforms. The British Film Institute revealed that 65% of UK film production funding comes from five major US studios and three streaming giants: Netflix, Apple, and Amazon. Netflix alone has invested approximately $6 billion in the UK over the past four years. Meanwhile, Amazon has made a substantial investment in acquiring Bray Studios and securing long-term leases for studios in Shepperton.

The UK is also a destination in the wave of Hollywood star migration. Director George Lucas, actors Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Zendaya, producer Lena Dunham, and many others own property in the UK and spend a significant amount of time living and working there.

Nevertheless, the prospect of forming a "Lollywood" still comes with risks. Expert Prue Howard notes that the labor market in the London film industry remains unstable, with production costs showing signs of stagnation amidst increasingly fragmented competition. Furthermore, there is no clear standard pricing framework for production teams.

Experts also point out the cost and policy disparities between internationally invested projects and domestic projects. The large influx of capital from Hollywood into projects in the UK could inadvertently drive up the overall cost of living for the entire industry. This puts significant pressure on independent filmmakers and domestic art films.

In this context, the British film ecosystem is not yet truly sustainable. Many argue that the British government needs to quickly refine its policy system towards a more decentralized approach: a mechanism for foreign investment and another to support domestic production with lower costs and greater incentives. Considering a tax on large investments from Hollywood studios – similar to the French model – has also been proposed, aiming to reinvest in domestic film development funds, workforce training, and support the livelihoods of industry workers.

BAO LAM (Compiled)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/lollywood-dan-hinh-thanh-a203735.html