NINE short films which were part of a year-long competition organised by Bradford UNESCO City of Film are to be shown on the Sky Arts channel for the first time later this week.

The international competition, which ran last year, was designed to give talented young filmmakers new opportunities to screen their work. Now the final part of the prize will see the films premiere on the channel on Friday, August 28, from 5.20pm.

As well as the entry from overall winner Jason Wingard of Manchester, a dramatic short film about a man who gets to see how long people have to live; other monthly winners' films to be shown include Bradford University student, Himarsha Ukwatta and his film about the city’s iconic Lister Park; and American, Greg Bishop who focused his film on the unique talents of a man who makes guitars from cigar boxes.

Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, David Wilson said: “Working with Sky Arts has been a wonderful partnership and I am delighted for our filmmakers that their highly creative and engaging work being screened on Sky Arts.”

“It’s been great to be able to host a competition which attracts film talent from around the world and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Sky Arts for supporting this competition aimed at encouraging and profiling new talent."

Mr Bishop said: “I’m honoured to have my first television premiere on Sky Arts. I look forward to having my film screened alongside work from other talented filmmakers and artists on a network dedicated to the exhibition and support of the arts.”

Sri-Lankan born Mr Ukwatta said: “It means a lot to me to have one my films on Sky Arts. It feels like a remarkable occasion in my student life as well as my career. I feel proud that I have achieved one of my goals in my life.”

Director of Sky Arts, Philip Edgar-Jones said: “We are thrilled to be able to support emerging filmmakers in partnership with the Bradford international film competition. I was personally very impressed with the standard of story-telling and visual flair across the board and I am sure our discerning Sky Arts audience will be equally impressed. I am sure we will be seeing more of their work at a bigger scale in the years to come."

The competition involved a winner each month throughout 2014, and Mr Wingard's film, 2:20 was unveiled as the overall winner in February. Sky Arts supported the competition and as well as leading the judging panel and awarding the £1,000 prize money, the director of the channel offered to screen the films for a year.

All the short films have previously been shown on Bradford's Big Screen in City Park.

The nine films that will be shown are: Aysia Tan, Celebrate; Himarsha Ukwatta, Autumn; Michael Cockcroft, Pipe Dream; Sara Jade Murphy, Listen to Life; Ross Birks, Days and Nights by the Dukes of Bevington; Greg Bishop, Johnny Washday: Cigar Box Guitars; Mark Stenhouse, Lift; Jason Wingard, 2:20; and Karolius Milius, Thailand.