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Bradford 2025’s youth hosts careers festival for Bradford’s young people

Published November 13, 2025

Bradford 2025 presents a Creative Careers Festival, a one-day festival showcasing opportunities within the creative sector in Bradford and bridging the gap for young people aged 16-25 interested in working in the creative industry.

On Thursday 20 November at Bradford Live, the festival brings together industry professionals from across the nation who will offer a range of activities, including creative workshops, thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive stalls, and 1-2-1 speed mentoring with top professionals. Created for young people by young people, the Creative Careers Festival is produced by Bradford 2025’s Apprentices and is set to develop new skills and professional pathways that will have a long-term positive impact in the region.

From gaming to television and film, the festival brings together a diverse range of organisations from both local and national levels, including Opera North, Common/Wealth, Dialled In, PWC, and Games Republic. The event explores how collaboration across creative industries can create new opportunities for young people to develop within the sector and share their experiences with other professionals.

The festival will also focus on giving delegates practical tips through specialist creative workshops and speed mentoring – like opening the doors to careers in fashion design with Burberry; insights into TV and film production with Screen Yorkshire; and realising opportunities in growth areas such as, AI and gaming.

Hosted in Bradford Live’s auditorium, the festival will welcome a mix of performances from local artists, such as poet Kirsty Taylor and comedian Alex Dunlop, as well as panels with 13 creative professionals to talk about their career and inspire the next generation of creatives in Bradford.

The panel lineup includes:

  • Irene Kaali, Presenter, Broadcaster and BBC New Voices winner
  • Kimia Modaressi, Filmmaker and Photographer
  • Humaira Bham, Content Creator and BBC New Voices winner
  • Rhiannon Skye Boden, Spoken Word Artist
  • Sam Da Silva, Musician
  • Jess Kitchen, Author
  • Matt Allen, Bradford 2025 Creative Technologist
  • Aaqil Ahmed, Media Production and Communications Consultant
  • Matt Zina, Screen Acting Coach
  • Arzu Dutta, BBC Bradford Reporter
  • Paul Wilshaw, Creative Connector
Creating spaces to bring young people in the creative industry together is so important. This is why we have established the Creative Careers Festival in the heart of Bradford, so that creatives from Bradford District and beyond can connect and learn from each other.
Sherman Rabbit Apprentice Marketing Assistant
An event like this is essential in spreading the awareness of what opportunities and career paths are out there for young people who are interested in the industry.
Kieran Jones Apprentice Opperations Assistant
When Bradford won the UK City of Culture title, we made a commitment to the young people of Bradford to create opportunities to experience and learn more about how the creative and cultural industries work. The Creative Careers Festival not only provides this access but also facilitates in-person conversations with industry professionals and highlights alternative routes into the sector.
Shanaz Gulzar Bradford 2025 Creative Director
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Image Credit: Karol Wysznski