A SERIES of family films from around the world will be screened in Bradford's City Park this summer.

The Small World Film Festival, hosted by Bradford UNESCO City of Film, will present award-winning films from countries such as Pakistan, Bulgaria, Italy and Ireland.

The festival will show films on Big Screen Bradford daily during lunch times and in the early evening. Festival organisers hope the films, a mix of documentary and animation, will "surprise and delight" anyone strolling through City Park.

The festival is a first for Bradford's City of Film team which has joined up with partners including the Fabriano Film Festival in Italy, the British Council and Galway UNESCO City of Film for the event.

Bradford City of Film and Bradford Council provide a programme of events and content for the Big Screen, with the aim of making it a place for innovative and creative local content, and a voice and focus for local communities and organisations to share stories and information.

Bradford City of Film director David Wilson said: “We’ve had a phenomenal response from partners around the world to work with us and bring stories from their countries through these short films to the heart of Bradford. I have been bowled over by the quality of the films and, with many of them already having won awards, I think the people of Bradford have a treat in store.

"As part of Bradford’s UNESCO designation we often advise other cities on how to apply to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Film, but also look to develop film related collaborations internationally."

Mr Wilson has been invited to be a patron of Italy's Fabriano International Short Film Festival, taking place at the end of May. Several films about Bradford and some film shorts from local film-makers will be screened at the festival.

Declan Gibbons, director of Galway City of Film, said: “We are delighted to be screening our films at the Small World Festival and have enjoyed collaborating with Bradford UNESCO City of Film on a project for all film fans to enjoy. We hope the films will have a particular resonance for anyone living or visiting Bradford who is originally from Ireland.

"This is Galway's first year as a City of Film and we're really excited to think that films by emerging and experienced filmmakers from Galway will screen in City Park, in the heart of Bradford."

For the full programme visit bradford-city-of-film.com/enjoy/smallworldfilmfestival