Bradford Film History and Heritage Uncovered and Explained, based in Bradford is working with young people from Titus Salt School and industry professionals, the project will come together in the creation of an app and film that will focus on the story behind Bradford's film history and heritage, for which the city was given the title of the worlds first UNESCO City of Film.

The project, set to begin in November 2013, will help local young people to discover some of the pioneers of film and technology that has developed across the Bradford district. They will gain new skills and knowledge in conservation and interpretation at the National Media Museum, Bradford Industrial Museum and Yorkshire Film Archive. They will uncover past locations and piece together the timeline of film heritage in and around Bradford in their bid to highlight some of Bradford's hidden treasures in this exciting industry.

The young people will also gain insight and inspiration from professional film and app makers along with Bradford University's Working Academy, gaining new skills in film making and app development as they work towards achieving an Arts Award as part of the project. The final app and film will be launched in Summer 2014 for people to enjoy as they reveal the stories behind Bradford's film history and heritage, or walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest actors of our time and explore the locations these films were shot and screened.

Bradford UNESCO City of Film is an organisation that works with people throughout the Bradford community to help them learn through developing media and communication skills. Working with professionals, the young people will gain a deeper insight into this previously under-researched part of Bradford's history, as well as teaching them valuable new communication skills to use as they develop their careers.

Commenting on the award, David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film said; "This is an excellent opportunity to bring the story of film heritage in Bradford to whole new audience using a digital platform. Bradford’s contribution to the development of early British cinema is a really compelling story and the young people leading the project are really proud of our cinematic heritage and want more people to be aware of it."

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said “Bradford played an important role in the development of the film industry.  HLF is pleased to support this project which will enable young people to uncover this hidden history and gain new skills. Through our funding we want to give young people the opportunity to explore the heritage that matters to them, and share it with everyone.”

The young people from Titus Salt wrote about the project; "We have always lived in Bradford and love learning new things. We believe that we can be an inspiration to film as it is a topic many people don't know about. This is our way of supporting Bradford by giving people access to exclusive content and getting them involved by showing them some of exciting places they can visit and learn about Bradford's film heritage."

Notes to editors

Bradford is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film. This permanent title bestows international recognition on Bradford as a world centre for film because of the city’s rich film heritage, its inspirational movie locations and its many celebrations of the moving image through the city’s annual film festivals. By 2020 Bradford will be the place to enjoy film, learn through and about film, make film and visit because of film.

Bradford has been a film location since the beginning of cinema, with its indigenous film industry being traced back to the years around the First World War. By then the residents of Bradford had already witnessed important contributions to cinema development, such as the invention of the Cieroscope in Manningham in 1896. One of the first cinema shows outside London took place on the site where the National Media Museum now stands, in a music hall known as the People’s Palace.

Further information

Bradford UNESCO City of Film: David Wilson on 01274 437 697, email:david.wilson@bradford.gov.uk. To find out more please visit Bradford City of Film website.