Bristol named a UNESCO Creative City of Film

Great news all over for my favourite people and places this week!

Here is to Bristol's artistic glory.

Darling, once the UK has sorted its blocks and errors illustrated by "Brexit", we'll meet again, I'm sure...

Image: Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol, credit Colin Smith

Two UK cities join prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network

The cities of Manchester and Bristol have been named UNESCO Creative Cities in global recognition of their outstanding contributions to culture and creativity.

Bristol has been named a UNESCO Creative City of Film, and Manchester a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.

The UNESCO Global Creative Cities Network is a global network of cities working towards the joint mission of placing creativity and cultural industries at the core of their urban development to make their cities safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable. Made up of 180 Members globally, UNESCO Creative Cities specialise in seven fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music and Media Arts.

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.”

Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Beth Taylor, said:

“Many congratulations to Bristol and Manchester on becoming UNESCO Creative Cities. Winning UNESCO accreditation is a real accolade, reflecting the strength in depth of your communities in the areas of film and literature. A UNESCO Creative City is not a one-year-only title, but represents a lasting commitment and a long-term opportunity to benefit from membership of the global UNESCO family, working in partnership with colleagues around the world.”

Bristol is home to world-leading media. Aardman Animations set up studios in Bristol in 1976, finding fame with Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep, among many others. BBC Bristol produces globally recognised radio, drama, factual and wildlife television, and is home to the largest production facility in the West of England, Bottle Yard Studios, whose productions include Poldark, Broadchurch, and Wolf Hall. BBC Bristol also houses the globally significant Natural History Unit, spawning ‘Green Hollywood’, the world’s largest concentration of firms producing wildlife content. With 11 community-driven international festivals dedicated to film annually, 10 cinemas, and 2 major universities (University of the West of England and University of Bristol) providing 28 film related degrees, Bristol will play a central role in this global network of like-minded cities.

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Manchester and Bristol join 10 UK UNESCO Creative Cities: Glasgow and Liverpool(Music), Dundee (Design), Bradford (Film), York (Media Arts), Norwich, Nottinghamand Edinburgh (Literature).

Becoming a UNESCO Creative City does not just celebrate the City’s creative output, it also means that Bristol and Manchester must have plans in place to improve access to and participation in cultural life across their cities, especially for marginalised or vulnerable groups and individuals.

Bristol hopes to use film as a way to reduce inequalities and barriers, and promote inclusivity and unite Bristol’s currently fragmented film sector.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:

“This is fantastic news and a ringing endorsement of Bristol’s position as a world leader in film culture. Our reputation as a diverse and creative city has long helped to attract productions 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.

Manchester intends to use its new international status to provide an opportunity to build on the city’s unique and diverse literary heritage by using reading and writing to bring communities together, support skills development and to cultivate pride and belonging, while building self-reliance and mental wellbeing.

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A few words from the Watershed Cinema, a film house and so much more:

Bristol named UNESCO City of Film

Posted on Wed 1 Nov 2017

Great news – we are proud that Bristol has been named UNESCO Creative City of Film, a global recognition of the city’s outstanding contribution to film culture and creativity.

The announcement was made yesterday by the Director-General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Bristol now joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, a network of cities working towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.

Watershed’s Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove said:

“This award is excellent news for Bristol. Film is an important feature of the city’s vibrant cultural provision and it is great that this area of work and activity is getting such prestigious – and international – recognition.

“It will create more awareness of the city’s excellence in this area and here at Watershed we are looking forward to working with partners to engage everyone in the past, present and future of cinema through events such as Cinema Rediscovered and Filmic and talent development initiatives like BFI Film Academy Bristol and Depict, part of Encounters Short Film & International Festival.”

We are proud to be part of a strong film and television culture in the city. This award is shared with our friends and partners like Aardman Animations, BBC Bristol, Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol Film Office, the University of Bristol and University of the West of England, Knowle West Media Centre, Calling The Shots, Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival and more.

The award is a designation for the city – meaning that it’s not just enjoyed for a single year. It will be known as a city of film for many more years to come. We’ll raise a toast to that!

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