A copper(II)-based MOF film (MOF-199/Ni) prepared by electrodeposition shows exceptionally high photocatalytic hydrogen production rates of 8000 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ (based on the mass of MOF-199) and 24 400 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ with Pt as the co-catalyst and eosin Y as the photosensitizer. The activity is one of the highest among all the reported MOF-based hydrogen production systems. With nickel foam as a substrate, the deactivation of MOF-199 is largely alleviated, and the MOF-199/Ni film can be easily recycled and reused after photocatalytic hydrogen production.