Film producer Steve Abbott, Chairman of UNESCO Bradford City of Film, welcomes you to the first Bradford International Film Summit

I am proud and delighted to welcome all our guests to the Bradford International Film Summit 2015. A particular word of welcome goes to those of you who are making a first visit to Bradford; we hope that the events of the next few days will whet your appetite for what my native city has to offer and that you’ll return on many occasions.

Bradford cherishes its status as the first UNESCO City of Film in the world. To have so many delegates from other UNESCO creative cities here at the Summit is a matter of enormous pride to both myself and all at City of Film.

The Summit would not be possible without the energy and commitment of our Director, David Wilson, and his team at City of Film; special thanks are due to them and to our Sponsors - City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Bradford Breakthrough, Bradford College and the University of Bradford. We are also fortunate to be partnered in various Summit events by BBC, BFI, Leeds Beckett University, National Media Museum and Screen Yorkshire.

When I became Chair of Screen Yorkshire on its foundation in 2002, it was a personal ambition of mine that we might see a strong and sustainable film industry in our region, since I had been obliged to leave for London and Los Angeles to pursue my career in Film and Television. I harboured similar hopes when I became the first Chair of Bradford City of Film. I am enormously proud of the achievements of both of these organisations and – whilst there is always more work to be done – I believe that Bradford and Yorkshire are now firmly on the film map, that this Summit will increase our profile nationally and internationally, and we will build on these foundations so that this region is pre-eminent in Film and Television activities in the long-term.

Enjoy the Summit.