About Bradford
About Bradford
Bradford is Britain’s sixth largest city, boasting a vibrant, young multi-cultural population. The city has enjoyed a reputation as a world leader for innovation since the dawn of the industrial revolution.
Set amidst stunning Yorkshire countryside, the former centre of the world for the wool industry features some of the UK’s finest Victorian architecture as well as encompassing the World Heritage Site of Saltaire and Haworth, the home of the Bronte sisters.
Today it sits just two hours by train from London, 20 minutes from the city of Leeds and a short drive from Salford Media City – host to leading national broadcasters. The newly expanded Leeds-Bradford International airport brings visitors from around the world.
The amazing architecture and environmental heritage has made the city a popular location for filmmaking for more than a century. It has provided backdrops to films including the pioneering Room at the Top, Billy Liar, the 1970’s family classic The Railway Children through to contemporary favourites such as The King’s Speech and The Selfish Giant.
Bradford hosts the UK’s national museum for film and television, the National Media Museum with the UK’s first IMAX cinema and Pictureville, one of the best equipped cinemas in the world. The museum is one of only four national portfolio collections outside London and attracts 500,000 visitors a year to view its permanent exhibitions and festivals.
The city also has its own innovative arts and cultural hub, Big Screen Bradford, in the heart of City
Park. It provides a space for local filmmakers to launch their work alongside hosting local, national and international film festivals and content, including live stream operas from the Royal Opera House.
With support from City of Film, the BAFTA nominated Bollywood Carmen Live was broadcast live from Bradford city centre in 2013. The contemporary version of Bizet’s opera was performed in front of huge crowds and was broadcast simultaneously on BBC Three. Starring Meera Syal, local dancers also appeared in the performance, with input from the University of Bradford, Bradford College and local businesses, which provided technical support, costumes and make-up.
For further information, please visit www.visitbradford.com
