THE daughter of Sidney Poitier has sent a video message to Clayton Community Cinema ahead of its screening of the late actor's film In the Heat of the Night.

The message from Pam Poitier will be played to introduce the film on Sunday, which would have been his 95th birthday.

Clayton Community Cinema is screening the 1967 murder mystery as a tribute to Sidney Poitier, who died in January. An actor, director and diplomat, he was the first black actor to win an Oscar for a leading role, in 1964, for Lilies of the Field.

He spent his formative years in the Bahamas, where the city of Nassau is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art. Bradford City of Film team contacted the UNESCO designation in Nassau about the Clayton screening and were delighted to receive a video message from Sidney Poitier’s daughter, Pam Poitier. She says: "Thank you for allowing me to send a message of gratitude to UNESCO Creative City of Bradford for celebrating my father, Sir Sidney Poitier, on his birthday at your historic cinema, and also thank you for the love and affection your country has shown my father throughout his career.

"My heart is overwhelmed that the world saw him for what he was - a good man, an extraordinary human being who never forgot where he came from. I send you warm wishes for a very successful event."

Andy Waterman who runs Clayton Community Cinema said: “I grew up with the films of Sidney Poitier and was saddened, along with any film fan, to hear of his passing. When we were looking at scheduling a film for February, we discovered that our screening date was the birthday of Sir Sydney Poitier so it felt right that we should honour him and his work.

"When David told us about the Bradford link to the Bahamas and that he had secured a video message from Pamela Poitier herself, we were over the moon. We're always looking for different ways to present films and give our audiences a great experience. Having a video message from Sidney Poitier's daughter is a really fitting tribute to his life and work but also to the community cinema and showing how we can bring people together through film.”

David Wilson added: "I was delighted that my UNESCO colleague Pam Burnside, from Nassau, was able to provide a message of support and also a video message from Pam Poitier. It shows the power of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network which now numbers 295 cities reaching 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity - crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music - to advance sustainable urban development. We work together on many initiatives.

"Bradford City of Film is working to develop more community cinemas across the district with the aim of having one in every council ward. The latest was in Wrose where a screening of James Bond film No Time To Die took place recently at the old library, now a cafe.

"There are so many positives to bringing communities together using film. It can help to reduce loneliness and isolation, provide training for volunteers and develop community spirit, especially as we continue the journey out of the pandemic.

* In the Heat of the Night will be screened at Clayton Community Cinema, Clayton Village Hall, on Sunday at 5pm. Visit ticketsource.co.uk/clayton-community-cinema