Bradford named world's first 'City of Film'

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has awarded Bradford the world's first 'City of Film' prize, reports The Guardian.

The West Yorkshire city has a long filmmaking history, with John Schlesinger's Billy Liar, Lionel Jeffries's The Railway Children, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Rita, Sue And Bob Too and the recent Channel 4 TV film Red Riding being produced in the area.

Slumdog Millionaire writer Beaufoy, who was born in Keighley, called the recognition "inspirational and a benefit to both the local community and the industry at large".

Amanda Nevill, director of the British Film Institute, added: "How wonderful that Britain has a designated City of Film and how apt that it is Bradford. Film is society's chosen medium in the 21st century - in our wonderfully diverse society, it provides an engaging and compelling bridge between ages, cultures and societies."

Bradford also houses the National Media Museum, the most popular museum outside London, and runs three annual film festivals: the Bradford International Film Festival, the Animation Festival and the Bite the Mango world cinema showcase.