Bradford’s appellation as the first UNESCO City of Film was, when it was first announced four years ago, something that raised a few eyebrows.

What, some people wondered, has Bradford got to do with film?

While the district might not necessarily have Hollywood beating a path to its door on a weekly basis – though Bradford can claim much involvement, on many levels, in a number of great movies – this week in particular shows just why we are deserving of the accolade.

Today the 19th Bradford International Film Festival, one of the major highlights on the film aficionado’s calendar, gets underway at the National Media Museum, surely one of the gems in Bradford’s crown at any time.

And as part of the packed programme of new movies, short films and classic celluloid tales, there will be a Telegraph & Argus-sponsored series of showings of stunning archive footage from the CH Wood collection of the Yorkshire Film Archive, shining a light on the forgotten days of Bradford’s past.

On top of that, Bradford-related TV shows – among them that of Dynamo, the alias of Delph Hill-born magician to the stars, Steven Frayne and one of the city’s best ambassadors – are in the running for no fewer than four BAFTAS, the Oscars of the small screen.

All of these taken together should give us all a sense of pride that not only is Bradford rising to the challenge of being named City of Film, it is bringing positive attention on the district.

And with the likes of the City of Film and Screen Yorkshire working hard to bring more production companies to the area to film, Bradford’s star in this regard is definitely in the ascendent.