Film-makers pitch for City of Culture screenings
Film-makers hoping to see their work premiered during Bradford 2025
- Published
Bradford film-makers will have the chance to see their projects premiered during the City of Culture celebrations next year.
An expert panel will examine eight film pitches from creatives who studied at the Forge Film Lab in Keighley, choosing three to be turned into short films.
Among the ideas are a teen coming-of-age drama, a tale set in the world of grassroots football and the story of a woman who encounters an "evil soul" after moving in with her boyfriend.
Bradford 2025 executive producer Kate Moore said organisers wanted to let local film-makers "tell their stories in their own words".
One of the film-making workshops held in The Unit in Keighley
Workshops were held at The Unit, a specialist film talent hub in Keighley co-funded by Bradford Council and Channel 4.
Bradford 2025 ran the initiative along with regional film body Screen Yorkshire.
Ms Moore said: "The only way that you can breed authentic storytelling is to invest regionally and in the places where people come from and in the people that are there.
"This opportunity wasn't really about making films about Bradford.
"It was about giving power and support to people who are from the region, who are from the district, to tell their stories in their own words."
People with a range of experience in film - screenwriting, directing and producing - applied to be on the month-long course.
Jo Schofield, senior talent executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: "I've spent quite a lot of time in Bradford running the Forge Lab and I have to say it's just been really wonderful to reacquaint myself with the city.
"I'm actually a Leeds girl so I was brought up next door but there's such a charm to the place; it's got such a unique sense of humour and there's a warmth to the people.
"It's been really fantastic to see Bradford get this national recognition."
Film-making hopefuls
Kamal Kaan
Evie Manning
Hafsah Naib
Jordon Scott Kennedy
Kat Rose-Martin
Kirsty Taylor, Anna Evans, MARF (project team)
Louisa Rose Mackleston
Michael McCabe
Bradford 2025 creative director Shanaz Gulzar and Bafta-winning producer Bekki Wray Rodgers are on the selection panel.
The winning ideas will be announced in September.
Bradford-based Cosmosquare Films and producer Hollie Bryan will help the chosen teams make their films.
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