Film maker Steve McQueen offered 'Freedom to Film'

Oscar winner Steve McQueen is to be honoured in Ealing and given a special freedom to film here.

Mr McQueen who picked up the top award for his film '12 Years a Slave' on Sunday, went to school and college in the borough.

Whilst on the red carpet he spoke of how driving past Ealing studios on the bus as a child inspired him to pursue a career in film.

Ealing’s Labour leader said he would like to offer Mr McQueen a special new honour, the Freedom to Film - this would mean Mr McQueen would be free to film back in his home borough.

Cllr Julian Bell Ealing’s Labour leader said:

“I offer my most sincere congratulations to Mr McQueen on behalf of the whole borough. We are tremendously proud that one of our own has won an Oscar. It is a wonderful inspiration for our young people in education in Ealing that they too could achieve the highest honour in all of show business.

''We would like to offer Mr McQueen this special honour and I hope that he takes the opportunity to come back and film in Ealing. I will be speaking to all councillors to hopefully offer this honour to Mr McQueen at a council meeting and look to waive fees for filming for students in the borough this year in recognition of his achievement so others can follow in his footsteps.”

4th March 2014