Bradford wins Unesco City of Film award
The West Yorkshire city has trumped Los Angeles, Cannes and Venice to win the UN honour
www.guardian.co.uk, Friday 12 June 2009 00.17 BST
The world's first City of Film will be announced by Unesco today, with the honour going unexpectedly to Bradford.
Although Los Angeles, Cannes and Venice might have been considered shoo-ins for the title, the Yorkshire city has got there first with a bid based on classics such as Room at the Top and the latest work of British Bollywood.
Although it is better known for its textile heritage, Bradford nonetheless has a long tradition of film-making, built with the help of its striking landscape and local acting talent, including Billie Whitelaw and Tony Richardson. The successful bid has been powered by the National Media Museum, the most visited museum outside London, whose move to Bradford in 1983 was a turning point in the city's regeneration.
