Boom expected as Yorkshire centre named Unesco City of Film
mardi, 14 juillet 2009
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.
The international accolade will strengthen Bradford’s film credentials and encourage more visitors and film makers to the city 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.
More recently the region has been linked with films such as the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and The Damned United.
Gary Verity, chief executive of the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism body, said he 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,” he added.
"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 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."