London will play host to the same number of productions as last year despite fears the recessionwould affect film shoots in the capital, according to Film London.

The city’s film agency says that the weak pound and changes to legislation to make it easier to film in London have encouraged productions to continue using the city.

There will be 16 projects shooting in London between May and August this year, and a further nine projects are waiting to get the green-light in time for a summer shoot. Last year, 16 projects shot in the capital over the same period.

A Film London spokeswomen said, “Compared to last year when a lot of things were on hold, London is a lot busier this summer. The weakened pound has had an impact and encouraged US production companies to shoot here.”

She added that legislation introduced in October, which gave the local authorities powers to minimise traffic disruption during shoots, has also helped to boost London’s competitiveness as a filming centre

Projects to shoot include:

  • Never Let Me Go directed by Mark Romanek and starring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield
  •  LondonBoulevard directed by William Monahan and starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley
  • Woody Allen’s as yet untitled film starring Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins and Freida Pinto
  • Mike Leigh’s as yet untitled film
  • Eagle Of The Ninth directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Jamie

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