EXCLUSIVE: The island of Guernsey will launch the Institute of Screen Arts Guernsey (ISAG), a newly established charity and industry body focused on expanding the island’s screen sector, in 2026.
The institute will be led by Guernsey-based professionals: Actor Cameron Ashplant (Marooned Awakening, The Last Bus), Director Brandon Ashplant (Whispers of Freedom, Bet Your Bottom Dollar), Executive Producers Stephen Ainsworth and Stephen Collas (Underground, Dare To Dream), and Production Manager Jonathan Allaway (How to Rob a Bank, The Balkans).
The ISAG has been developed in consultation with the Guernsey Government’s Committee for Economic Development. The Institute will focus on advocating for the island’s screen sector on the international stage, offering production support, location coordination, and financial assistance. The Institute’s first location and talent catalog will debut with the 2026 launch and will be designed to aid casting directors and scouts.
Guernsey has a rich artistic history. Films shot on the island include François Truffaut’s Oscar-nominated The Story of Adele H (1975), while Victor Hugo penned his seminal drama Les Misérables on the island while in exile. Despite its rich history, Guernsey remains outside the BFI’s remit. The island is a self-governing state with its own legislature, judiciary, and fiscal system. This constitutional autonomy means the island can offer filmmakers its own fiscal incentives, streamlined permits, and direct access to logistical support.
Actor Murray McArthur (The Northman, How to Train Your Dragon) will serve as the Institute’s first Honorary Patron.