Yorkshire city named the world’s first City of Film
BRADFORD has today been named the first UNESCO City of Film.
The move sees the Yorkshire city join only 19 worldwide to be made part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and only one of three British cities to receive the accolade.
The Creative Cities Network was launched by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2004 to help promote the cultural development of cities with Edinburgh named City of Literature and Glasgow City of Music.
While the accolade does not mean a financial reward for the city, organisers of Bradford’s bid – led by the city council, the National Media Museum and Screen Yorkshire along with the University of Bradford and Saltaire-based TV set-top box maker Pace – want to use the international recognition it will bring to further strengthen its film credentials to encourage more visitors and film makers to the district and surrounding areas.
Films made in and around Bradford include Billy Liar and The Dresser which both starred Tom Courtenay, Room at the Top, The Railway Children, Rita Sue and Bob Too in 1986 and parts of Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
Gary Verity, chief executive of the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism body, today welcomed the news: “Bradford and the surrounding areas have got a long history of being involved in iconic films and film making and this will only help to boost that and get people to come and visit.
“It is both a great honour for the work, skills and talent of those who have gone before and those working now.”
The city is home to the National Media Museum and has several film festivals throughout the year, with Bollywood stars also often visiting the city.
Simon Beaufoy, the screenwriter for the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, said the accolade was “superb news” for his hometown.
He said: “Not only has Bradford played a crucial role in the story of cinema and helped shape its history, it has inspirational plans to enhance its future relationship with film, which will benefit both the local community and the industry at large.”
