Film school set to benefit from £2m university investment

A PERFORMING arts university has announced a £2.1 million investment for its Digbeth campus.

BIMM University offers courses in performing arts and film making, and is now set to expand its Performers’ College and Screen and Film School.

The investment will boost opportunities for students amid cuts to arts and culture organisations over the next two years.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt previously announced £10 million of funding for culture projects in the West Midlands.

The investments will see the introduction of a high-spec studio theatre equipped with industry-standard sound and lighting equipment.

James Maiden, campus dean at BIMM University, said: “This investment really harnesses the true potential of our Performers’ College and Screen and Film Schools, arriving in time to launch our first graduating year into their careers.

“It also marks the birth of BIMM University’s Birmingham campus, a unique education space, where these schools and our established BIMM Music Institute are all thriving together in the Creative Quarter of Birmingham. Here students collaborate and inspire, providing an experience which ensures future generations of talent are able to grow in the second city.

“Music, film, theatre and dance – the future of creativity is happening right here in Birmingham.”

It is one of many investments into Digbeth’s creativity hub, which includes the BBC’s Tea Factory studios.

Set to be completed in 2027, new shows filming in Birmingham include SAS: Catching the Criminals, Garden Rescue, MasterChef and Silent Witness.

The Digbeth Loc film studio has also been created by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight.