LAST autumn Hollywood A-lister Drew Barrymore was among the cast and crew of a big budget movie who turned up for a location shoot on Ilkley Moor - and there wasn't a local caterer to be found.

"We had Drew Barrymore filming in Ilkley and Haworth, and at the same time a major Bollywood movie filming at various locations in Bradford, yet no caterers representing the district," said David Wilson, director of Bradford City of Film.

Catering isn't the only opportunity where local businesses can benefit from film production. From taxis, catering and construction to accommodation and printing, film and TV productions have a wide range of needs that can be met by businesses in the district.

Next month the Bradford International Film Summit - showcasing the work of Bradford's City of Film team, and what the district offers for film and TV production - will include a seminar called The Business of Film, highlighting opportunities for local and regional businesses. Held by Bradford Breakthrough, it will share information about the needs of the TV and film industry and provide a chance to question business people already working with productions. Attendees will also find out how to join the Bradford City of Film directory.

"We want businesses to sign up to a database, so whenever a production company needs services such as catering or taxis we have the right businesses at our fingertips," said Mr Wilson. "Film and TV companies often have very specific needs, which businesses need to be aware of. If filming is out in a field, for example, a caterer would need to operate without a power supply, and any hotel accommodating cast and crew would need to be aware of very early starts when it comes to things like providing breakfast. Taxis are often needed to transport people to and from location shoots and accommodation, and we need landlords who can make their buildings available for filming.

"A directory of services would ensure that we can access businesses that can provide such services, and pass their details on to production companies, often at short notice."

Mr Wilson said of the 34 filming requests the team had last year, 48 days of filming took place in the Bradford district, including DCI Banks, movies Hunters Prayer, Miss You Already and Testament of Youth, and the Hockney documentary.

“Based on the success of 2014 we are confident that filming will continue to increase, and there are lots of opportunities for businesses to get involved in film," he added.

Mr Wilson will be one of the speakers at Business of Film, held at the Midland Hotel in Bradford on Thursday, March 5. Others include Sally Joynson, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, and Richard Knight, head of production for Screen Yorkshire.

A database of businesses which can offer their services to filming would build on what Mr Knight, a former locations manager, called the "can do attitude" of local authorities, residents and businesses, which he said made the district an attractive place for filming.

“There are numerous ways that local businesses can capitalise on the influx of film and television projects - the needs of a film crew are varied, usually urgent, and sometimes downright surreal - potentially putting the production into contact with a variety of suppliers," he added. “The film summit provides an ideal opportunity for local businesses to learn the scope and scale of the film production market, and how to tap into it.”

Film and TV executives and international guests will descend on Bradford for the summit, from March 4 - 6. Highlights include a 100-seater mobile cinema aboard an articulated truck, which will park up in City Park. The Cinemobile will journey to Bradford from Galway in Ireland, designated a UNESCO City of Film in December, and show screenings for the public and school groups.

The summit will be based around four themes - showcasing the film-friendly city of Bradford and surrounding areas; sharing information about the Bradford Film Literacy Programme, Bradford University and Bradford College’s International Film School; promoting growing opportunities for businesses to capitalise on opportunities in film production; and celebrating films ‘Made in Yorkshire’ with screenings in community venues.

Guests will include the chairman of BAFTA, Anne Morrison, and the controller of business for Children's BBC, Jackie Myburgh.

Mr Wilson said: “We are delighted with the programme of events for Bradford’s first International Film Summit, which been made possible with some fantastic support from our partners the BBC, the British Film Institute, Screen Yorkshire, Bradford College and Bradford University."

Most events at the Bradford International Film Summit are free but attendees must pre-register. For more information visit bradfordcityoffilm.com/summit.

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