Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
01/11/2017

Bristol Named UNESCO City Of Film

News Image
Bristol has been named a UNESCO City of Film ensuring that the city now joins the likes of Bradford, Galway, Rome and Sydney as a City of Film.

The announcement by the Director-General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) confirmed that Bristol has succeeded in its bid. The city will be joined by Manchester as it takes its place as part of the Creative Cities Network as it has been named a UNESCO City of Literature.

Commenting on Wednesday's announcement, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, John Glen MP, said: "This is fantastic news for both Bristol and Manchester and recognition of their global significance to film and literature. This UNESCO designation will enhance their reputation around the world and help forge strong partnerships with other nations."

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, added: "This is fantastic news and a ringing endorsement of Bristol's position as a world leader in film production, education and training. Our reputation as a diverse and creative city has long helped to attract productions and talent across film, TV drama, animation and of course natural history. I hope this recognition will be a catalyst for bigger opportunities for the city and Bristolians to showcase Bristol as a centre for film.

"Bristol's cultural sector is a diverse industry that plays an important role in breaking down the barriers inequality creates. Our ambition is that the education, training and employment opportunities developed by the sector will benefit all communities across Bristol and being named as an UNESCO City of Film is a step towards meeting this goal."

Fiona Francombe, Site Director of The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, commented: "This is a great result, we warmly welcome the recognition that UNESCO City of Film status will bring to Bristol, a city with film and TV production at its core. In recent years The Bottle Yard Studios has attracted new attention from producers at home and abroad, providing fresh opportunities for the local industry, but it's also important to note that the longevity of Bristol's filming heritage is testament to its outstanding specialist workforce. The art directors, set builders, camera operators, supporting artistes, make-up artists, costume designers, visual effects and post production specialists – talented experts that help this sector stand out as an essential cornerstone in Bristol's cultural and economic success. This new status will raise Bristol's profile on the international stage even further. It will bolster our reputation as a city that offers the full package of support and really understands the language of filmmaking."

Created in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a network of creative cities working together towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development. The Creative Cities Network is currently formed by 116 Members from 54 countries covering seven creative fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music and Media Arts.

The UNESCO City of Film bid process began in 2016. Bristol’s application was put together under the guidance of a management group comprising Bristol City Council, Bristol Film Office, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), University of Bristol, Screenology, Destination Bristol and The Bottle Yard Studios.

The bid included the input from the city's film and TV sector, from production, education, screen heritage and exhibition, including Watershed, Knowle West Media Centre, Calling The Shots, Aardman Animations, BBC Bristol, Encounters Festival, and Bristol Festivals.

Image: Location still from Sherlock: The Abominable Bride. COurtesy of Bristol Film Office.
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

04/09/2023
Agile Content To Present True Glass-To-Glass Media Production And Distribution Solutions
Agile Content is to return to the IBC show in Amsterdam where the leading provider of OTT digital TV and video distribution software will present its
30/08/2023
Chyron Brings Innovation In Newsroom Production To IBC2023
Chyron is to showcase innovative functionality across its news production solutions at IBC2023 (Stand 7.A45), with a focus on powerful new data-handli
24/08/2023
Vislink Showcases Live Production At IBC 2023
Vislink Technologies, Inc., a global technology leader in the capture, delivery and management of high quality, live video and associated data in the
09/08/2023
Production Futures Signs Martin Audio As Its High-Profile Partner
Production Futures has signed one of the industry's heavy hitters, Martin Audio, as its latest high-profile partner. "It's wonderful that Martin Audio
09/08/2023
Bridge Technologies Announces VB440 Production Probe
In a sweeping host of advancements that Bridge Technologies will be announcing for its VB440 production probe in the run-up to IBC2023 (Booth 1.A71),
31/07/2023
CP Communications Brings Live Sports Production Expertise
CP Communications once again brought its live sports production expertise to the MLB All-Star Game weekend of events, with 30 crew members supporting
21/04/2023
FOR-A To Showcase NDI®-Compatible Live Video Production Ecosystem
FOR-A is showcasing a fully NDI®-compatible live video production ecosystem at CABSAT 2023 (stand S1-M10, Dubai World Trade Centre, 16 – 18 May). The
21/04/2023
DHD TX2 Ultra-Compact Multitouch Audio Production Mixer To Debut At MPTS
The DHD TX2 ultra-compact multitouch audio production mixer will make its UK exhibition debut at the Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS), Olympi
20/04/2023
Grass Valley Expands Production Switcher Lineup
Grass Valley has announced a new product innovation within its Production Switcher product lineup. Grass Valley production switchers continue to lead
16/03/2023
GhostFrame To Display Game-Changing Virtual Production Toolkit
GhostFrame is to present its game-changing virtual production toolkit at the NAB Show, April 15-19, in Las Vegas. GhostFrame's powerful suite of featu
15/03/2024
JVC Professional Video To Feature Special Guests At NAB Show 2024
JVC Professional Video will feature special guests, including NDI Technical Director Roberto Musso and vMix Senior Systems Engineer Heath Barker, at t
24/03/2023
Multistory Media Promotes Simone Haywood To Creative Director
MultiStory Media has promoted Simone Haywood to Creative Director, MultiStory London. Having joined MultiStory Media four years ago as Head of Factual
02/02/2018
Bristol's UNESCO City Of Film Status Launches At Watershed Media Centre
Bristol's new United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) City of Film status has launched at an event at Watershed Medi
22/05/2015
Production News : Film, TV Production Contributes £17.5m To Bristol's Economy
Bristol Film Office has released new figures indicating that 2014-15 was another strong year for film and TV production in Bristol, which generated al
19/06/2015
Bristol Film Office Shares New Movie Maps
Bristol Film Office has launched a new series of online Movie Maps designed to celebrate the city's reputation for film and TV production, and to allo