Bradford 2025 and Screen Yorkshire workshops for new filmmakers

The collaborative - scheme run by Bradford 2025 and Screen Yorkshire - is investing in the future of Bradford’s film-making talent.

Jo Schofield, Senior Talent Executive at Screen Yorkshire, reveals more:

FORGE Film Lab is an exciting new opportunity for Bradford film-makers and creatives.

FORGE Film Lab is more than just a training ground; it is a community of creativity and skill development, shaping the future of film right here in Bradford.

Bradford, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, has so much talent and vitality.

The FORGE Film Lab nurtures that local talent and ensures that the community has the confidence and profile to explore their stories on screen and a global stage.

We have been working with Bradford 2025 and The Unit to run the FORGE programme over the last few months, comprising of masterclasses, in-person sessions and online training with a range of industry leaders that have covered every aspect of film production and story development.

It’s incredibly exciting to work with the cohort who are all individually ‘ones to watch’ in Bradford, already garnering accolades and attention nationally.

It has been fantastic working alongside Kate and Hannah from Bradford 2025’s Producing team and, the opportunities that Bradford 2025 will bring to the region are significant- it is fantastic to be partnering with them.

We recognise that the film industry is difficult to break into, often requiring not just talent but also the right connections and access to industry networks.

FORGE Film Lab addresses this barrier by providing participants with mentorship from industry experts, networking opportunities with professionals, and the chance to fund, showcase and profile their work.

Designed and delivered by the talent development team at Screen Yorkshire, the sessions covered a range of topics including pitch training, the role of editing in documentary, the art of screenwriting, character and story development and we even had a keynote address from Oscar winning film-maker Chris Overton.

Oscar-winning director Chris Overton addressing FORGE participants (Image: PMaziarz)

We are also running the in-person sessions out of The Unit, a Channel 4 and Bradford Council funded initiative and fantastic open resource filmmaking hub in the heart of Keighley.

As Screen Yorkshire’s Senior Talent Executive, I know how valuable opportunities like this are; and we’re very lucky indeed to have such incredible talents who are ready to embrace it.

Three of the projects will be selected to receive production finance and work with Bradford based Cosmosquare Films, with producer Hollie Bryan making their films.

I can’t wait to see these ideas come to life on screen!”

The FORGE cohort come from across the Bradford district and includes: Hafsah Naib; Evie Manning; Haider Mahboob; Jordan Scott Kennedy; Casey Shaw; Kamal Kaan; Kat Rose-Martin; Kirsty Taylor; Anna Evans; Martha Kean; Louisa Rose Mackelston; and Micheal McCabe.

* Bradford was named UK City of Culture 2025 in May 2022, having beaten a record number of bids - 20 across the UK. Says the Bradford 2025 team: "Awarded every four years by Government the UK City of Culture title has had a transformational impact on previous host cities, securing millions of pounds of investment and acting as a catalyst for creative place-making and culture-led

regeneration.

The Bradford 2025 programme will reach across the entire district, include work from local, national and international artists, and attract the best creatives and cultural organisations from around the world to Bradford.

It is predicted that Bradford’s cultural programme in 2025 will attract 15.5m visitors to the district and bring in an additional visitor spend of £136.9m into the local economy.

Overall, the increased cultural and economic activity is expected to deliver up to £389 million of growth for Bradford District."