It was a huge accolade when Bradford scooped the title of the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, an honour that was greatly deserved for Bradford’s long and rich heritage in the development of the industry and as a location for many major movies.

But the designation was never just about celebrating the past – it’s about building on history to keep Bradford at the forefront of the industry. And while the work done to establish the district as a place to make movies and TV – such as the recent filming here for the new drama series Peaky Blinders, starring Sam Neill and Cillian Murphy – is very welcome, the other side of the coin is generating opportunities for those who live here in the City of Film.

Therefore, it’s great news that Bradford College has gone into partnership with one of Asia’s foremost film, TV and animation institutes to train the media professionals of the future right here in the district.

The new project will allow aspiring film-makers to spend time working in the Indian film industry – a huge market that rivals Hollywood – and to learn from the very best in the trade.

This is the City of Film at work, giving opportunities to local young people which enable them to remain in Bradford but at the same time assemble the skills and expertise to allow them to compete on a global stage in a market that shows no signs of dwindling.

The graduates of the course, which begins next year, may one day rise to international acclaim and will spread a positive image of Bradford as the place where great ideas – and people – are born.