Bradford: City of Film

A big day for Bradford!

Born and bred right here in Bradford, Steve Abbott is perhaps best known as the producer of some of the most perennially popular British films. Not only did he bring such titles as A Fish Called Wanda and Brassed Off to our screens; he was even on the crew of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life - also filmed here in Bradford - for which he was credited as being 'not the production accountant'.

Bradford bred: Film producer Steve Abbott

But Steve is also Chair of Bradford City of Film and has been very involved in bringing this accolade home to West Yorkshire. He says: "We will always be the first UNESCO City of Film. We are the first UNESCO cultural city in England [Edinburgh is a City of Literature and Glasgow is a City of Music]...We join a very small network of good international cities. Let's make the most of it."

Steve is in no doubt as to why Bradford was chosen: "To get this award - and they've scrutinised our bid very closely - we've had to rely on our film heritage which is absolutely brilliant, our position as a great film location both in terms of rural and urban environments but the clincher is the National Museum and its festivals. There are other major cities that might claim to have made as many important films as us or given birth to Oscar winners, movie stars and so on but there are none that have the ace up their sleeve of having the National Media Museum. I think that's why they gave us it, that's why we deserve to win it. It's fantastic."

"The clincher is the National [Media] Museum"

Growing up in Barkerend Road, Steve is one of those who found inspiration in Bradford's rich film heritage - scenes in Billy Liar were filmed just up the road. He adds: "I want Bradford to be the first place anyone thinks of in this country, whether it be for media literacy in schools or film clubs or just making short films. I want all of that to be encouraged and that will be how I measure the future going forward."