Great news – we are proud that Bristol has been named UNESCO Creative City of Film, a global recognition of the city’s outstanding contribution to film culture and creativity.

The announcement was made yesterday by the Director-General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Bristol now joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, a network of cities working towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.

Watershed’s Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove said:

“This award is excellent news for Bristol. Film is an important feature of the city’s vibrant cultural provision and it is great that this area of work and activity is getting such prestigious – and international – recognition.

“It will create more awareness of the city’s excellence in this area and here at Watershed we are looking forward to working with partners to engage everyone in the past, present and future of cinema through events such as Cinema Rediscovered and Filmic and talent development initiatives like BFI Film Academy Bristol and Depict, part of Encounters Short Film & International Festival.”

We are proud to be part of a strong film and television culture in the city. This award is shared with our friends and partners like Aardman Animations, BBC Bristol, Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol Film Office, the University of Bristol and University of the West of England, Knowle West Media Centre, Calling The Shots, Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival and more.

The award is a designation for the city – meaning that it’s not just enjoyed for a single year. It will be known as a city of film for many more years to come. We’ll raise a toast to that!

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