Today, Bradford was celebrating its accolade as the world’s first City of Film.

Not Los Angeles, not Berlin, not Paris, not Rome – but Bradford, which has a longer association with film-making than Hollywood.

City of Film was awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Oscar-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy greeted the news of his hometown’s success by saying: “This is superb news for Bradford and is testimony to the City’s dedication to the film and media industry.

“Not only has Bradford played a crucial role in the story of cinema and helped shape its history, it has inspirational plans to enhance its future relationship with film, which will benefit both the local community and the industry at large.”

The decision, made at the Paris HQ of UNESCO, where the application was originally lodged, comes after three years of preparation and lobbying by Bradford City of Film Partnership.

The main players are the National Media Museum, Screen Yorkshire, Bradford Council, supported by high tech electronics firm Pace plc, Bradford University and others.

Bradford is now only the third British city – after Edinburgh for literature and Glasgow for music – to receive a UNESCO designation as part of its Creative Cities Network.

Bradford will now be able to:

* encourage more film-makers and film fans to come to Bradford and, in turn, boost the local economy.

* build Bradford’s national and international profile as a place to make and enjoy films.

* enhance people’s knowledge of films and develop film-making potential.

The City of Film bid was chaired by Bradford-born Steve Abbott, chairman of Screen Yorkshire and producer of Brassed Off and A Fish Called Wanda.

He said: “As a proud Bradfordian I am delighted. The UNESCO designation is a great honour, not only for the City but for all its citizens.

“I am confident we can bring further credit to both Bradford and UNESCO with our ongoing City of Film project.”

Appropriately, the award comes in the same year that Keighley-born Simon Beaufoy won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire. For the second time in eight years UNESCO has given Bradford two world titles – the first was World Heritage status for Saltaire, announced on December 14, 2001. Now the city of Bradford’s 100-year connection with films and film-making has been acknowledged.

Bradford’s Lord Mayor, Coun John Godward, said: “Receiving this award on behalf of the city of Bradford is an immensely proud moment for me but more importantly, a very proud occasion for everyone in the district.

“Being the world’s first City of Film will really help us develop the excellent work in film already being carried out in Bradford and also encourage the younger generations to get involved and the nurture the talent in the district.”