Norfolk Shines as Two Productions Head to the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival
Norfolk’s cinematic footprint is set to shine on one of the world’s most influential festival stages as two productions filmed in the county head to the big screen. North Norfolk‑shot Onwards and Sideways and Rachel Morrison’s Love of Your Life have both secured world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking a standout moment for the region’s screen identity and demonstrating Norfolk’s landscapes, sector capability and production readiness on a global platform.
Onwards and Sideways, filmed across North and West Norfolk, embracing the region’s textured backdrops beautiful towns, coastal views, marshes, winding lanes, and those signature big skies to frame its character‑driven narrative. The production worked closely with North Norfolk District Council, Highways and other local partners, demonstrating the strength of Norfolk’s collaborative infrastructure. Tom Howard, Location Manager noted “When working on this touching film, at each stage I was met with cooperation and enthusiasm to source appropriate locations, from a garden centre to private houses and restaurants and more. It was straightforward to arrange, and the general public were very welcoming. We had several street filming scenes with traffic management including road closures which were easy and uncomplicated to organise. Norfolk Screen assisted us throughout with location suggestions, council services and local knowledge for suppliers and support companies. It was a thoroughly enjoyable, film friendly experience and I cannot wait to come back”.
(Image: BBC/Hilltop Screen/Jonathan Birch)
(Image: BBC/Hilltop Screen/Jonathan Birch)
Rachel Morrison’s Love of Your Life spent two weeks filming in Heacham, utilising a coastal property and beach. The production worked closely with a range of services, accommodation providers and businesses, showcasing Norfolk’s ability to support high‑profile international filmmaking with professionalism and community warmth. Rachel Morrison, Director, Love of Your Life, shared: “With its beautiful coastline and expansive skies, Norfolk is incredibly cinematic. It’s welcoming, film‑friendly, and close enough to London, yet visually a world away.”
Norfolk Screen is proud to have supported both productions, and we’re thrilled to see these two outstanding films reach the Toronto International Film Festival. Having two Norfolk‑shot titles premiering at TIFF at the same time is a remarkable achievement that reflects the region’s growing reputation as a world‑class filming destination. It amplifies Norfolk’s visibility, showcases the breadth and beauty of its locations, highlights the strength and readiness of its district councils and communities, and reinforces the momentum of a screen sector gaining national and international attention.
