Public get taste of the high life on red carpet in Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Public get taste of the high life on red carpet in Bradford

10:51pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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The winners of a Telegraph & Argus competition enjoyed the glitz and the glamour of a film premiere as the Bradford City of Film was celebrated tonight.

Members of the public, who were lucky enough to win tickets, walked up the red carpet and enjoyed a drinks reception for the People’s Premiere of Ian Fitzgibbon’s Perrier’s Bounty at the National Media Museum.

The event was a collaboration between Bradford City of Film and Bradford International Film Festival, in association with the Telegraph & Argus.

Each year the festival begins with the UK premiere of a new film before a VIP audience.

But for the first time to night, this was followed by a separate screening for specially-invited members of the public.

Steve Abbott, chairman of the City of Film board and producer of films such as A Fish Called Wanda and Brassed Off, said: “Every year there is a black-tie event for invited guests, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but what we don’t want for this city is for people to feel as if they are on the outside looking in, and having the People’s Premiere is a wonderful way of including its citizens.”

Margaret Wallis, of Great Horton, said she was delighted to win tickets. She said: “I have been to the film festival in the past, but that was just turning up for the odd film, but this feels like a real occasion – it’s nice to do something a bit glamorous.

“It’s wonderful – you know this is the national museum but I think this does make Bradford people feel ownership of it.”

Terry and Hazel Frost, of Baildon, said they were excited to be attending their first film premiere.

Mrs Frost said: “We were very excited when we heard that we had won – I’ve never been to a premiere film before.”

Mr Frost backed the idea of inviting members of the public. He said: “I think it’s long overdue and I think it’s something that is needed, especially when they have been trying to regenerate the city and the whole culture of the city.”