
Bradford: A City of Film
Celebrate cinema in the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.
Check out new work from Bradford filmmakers – and find out how we’re developing new talent across the district.
Bradford District is steeped in cinematic history. From the sweeping vistas of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, backdrop to countless films and TV dramas, to the Gothic architecture of Undercliffe Cemetery in Billy Liar and the streets of Holme Wood in Ali & Ava, our district has played a key role in cinema history – and in 2009, Bradford became the first ever UNESCO City of Film.
We’re building on Bradford’s treasured movie heritage by supporting a wealth of new productions in 2025. Find out more about the projects we’re helping bring to life – and look out for updates on screenings near you.
Northern Youth
with the National Science and Media MuseumMay-Jun 2025
Northern Youth is a celebration of northern young identity in cinema.
Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities with a significant portion of its population under 25, and this season champions the bold and blistering spirit of youthful northern characters, actors, film-makers, writers, and mavericks. Punky and poetic, powerful and punchy, this season celebrates northern youth in all its glory.
Discover Northern Youth →
May-Jun 2025
Northern Youth is a celebration of northern young identity in cinema.
Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities with a significant portion of its population under 25, and this season champions the bold and blistering spirit of youthful northern characters, actors, film-makers, writers, and mavericks. Punky and poetic, powerful and punchy, this season celebrates northern youth in all its glory.

A Time and a Place
with the National Science and Media MuseumJun 2025
Invisible Women present a season of coming of age films by women filmmakers, inspired by Bradford’s diasporic past.
Discover A Time and a Place →
Jun 2025
Invisible Women present a season of coming of age films by women filmmakers, inspired by Bradford’s diasporic past.

Epic Yorkshire
with the National Science and Media Museum2 – 21 Aug 2025
Launching on Yorkshire Day (1 Aug), Epic Yorkshire showcases stories made and shaped by those who call this place home – from gritty urban dramas to romantic windswept landscapes.
Discover Epic Yorkshire →
2 – 21 Aug 2025
Launching on Yorkshire Day (1 Aug), Epic Yorkshire showcases stories made and shaped by those who call this place home – from gritty urban dramas to romantic windswept landscapes.

Big Screen
Ilkley Lido: 22 – 23 Aug
Thornton Viaduct: 13 Sep
A series of immersive film screenings in spectacular locations, in collaboration with Wild Rumpus.
Ilkley Lido and Thornton Viaduct will be transformed for these site-specific film screenings, part of a year-long events series building on Bradford’s proud heritage as a leading centre of filmmaking.
Film titles and tickets to be announced soon.

Upcoming film screenings
There are lots of special film events coming up in 2025 – with more to be announced soon.

21 Aug 2025
The Ceremony [Gala Screening and Q&A]
Jack King
An award-winning debut feature set in Bradford.

22 Aug 2025
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (12A)
Jamie’s got big dreams, but they aren’t like those of other boys. Part of Open-Air Cinema at Ilkley Lido with Wild Rumpus.

23 Aug 2025
Sexy Beast (18)
One of the finest British films of the 21st century - part of Open-Air Cinema at Ilkley Lido with Wild Rumpus.

13 Sep 2025
The Grand Budapest Hotel (15)
Wes Anderson's madcap caper. Part of Open-Air Cinema at Thornton Viaduct with Wild Rumpus.
In development
Discover these new homegrown productions – all supported by Bradford 2025.
Forge Shorts
FORGE Shorts is a collection of new short films created for Bradford 2025 by local filmmakers – selected via an open call and due to premiere in 2025.

UNESCO City of Film
Famous for its rich film heritage, Bradford became the first UNESCO City of Film in 2009. Find out more about what this title means for Bradford.
