Phil,
You missed out on Hong Kong by a few years. UK nationals used to get work permits as of right. That ended in 1997 with the handover to China - but the place is still brimming with Brits.
You're right in that in Hong Kong you need to speak Cantonese to work in the industry - but one of the most favourable DPs here is a gwailo... he speaks Cantonese.
Perhaps you should just shoot your own movie.
That's what we're doing in Hong Kong. The place is as photogenic as anything, lots of technical resources, a film friendly government and full of money people to finance your projects.
But that's true in London too.
If I was you I'd spend the rest of your winter working on a script and shoot a short movie in and around the UK, or find a nice place in Europe. Then sell it as a project to fund a full production.
See this website for some guys who did exactly that in Hong Kong...
http://www.exitstrategythemovie.com/
Basically they are a load of Brits in Hong Kong (since before 97) that made a short movie with the intention of making the real deal... by proving that they had the balls.
One thing is true - to do it you have to do it not wish for it.
