Gerard Butler backs drive to make Glasgow a top movie destination

Dec 1 2009 By Lauren Crooks

Ewan McGregor, Eva Green

Hollywood hearthrob Gerard Butler is heading a campaign to boost the city's film industry.

The Scottish star, one of our most famous exports, is the new ambassador for the Glasgow Film Office and helped launch the Glasgow Film Partnership.

The scheme is a multi-agency collaboration between key organisations in Glasgow to raise the city's profile as a filming location.

The partnership wants to show that the city is a film friendly one, and hopes to make the process of filming in Glasgow a simple one for those interested.

An exclusive interview with Gerard - who was born in Glasgow and grew up in Paisley - was played at the launch on Tuesday.

He was chosen because of his Scottish roots and bosses hope his A-list status will attract big-hitters from the film industry to Glasgow.

Butler said: "I'm very honoured to be asked to be Glasgow Film Office's ambassador, anything I can do to support the local film and television industry is worthwhile.

"I wish Glasgow Film Office every success in the launch of the Glasgow Film Partnership and hope the benefits of this new initiative will lead to increased production in the city very soon." 

In the past 12 months GFO has helped 15 productions film scenes in the city, including the movie The Last Word starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green, pictured.

Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Business and the Economy at Glasgow City Council, added: "I am delighted that an actor of such global renown as Gerard Butler has lent his support to Glasgow Film Office, and this can only help our efforts to attract even more film and broadcast activity to Glasgow in the future through the Glasgow Film Partnership launched today."

And Jennifer Reynolds, Film Commissioner for Glasgow Film Office commented: "I am absolutely thrilled that Gerard Butler has agreed to become our ambassador.

"His profile helps lend credibility to Glasgow and combined with his support for our office, he will help to publicise Glasgow within the film industry.

"Gerard shares with Glasgow Film Office a strong passion for raising the profile of the city and we look forward to future collaborations and opportunities to promote Glasgow together."

Glasgow is the centre of the film and television production industry in Scotland, contributing nearly £18million directly to the city economy in 2008.

Glasgow Film Office (GFO), the film commission for the City of Glasgow, works closely with council departments, Strathclyde Police and productions to ensure all filming activity occurs with the minimum impact on the everyday life of citizens and businesses of Glasgow while delivering the maximum economic impact.

It has supported a host of award-winning British films Red Road and numerous Ken Loach productions.