From DCI Banks to Daphne Du Maurier, the Bradford district’s diverse landscapes have attracted a range of film and television drama production over the past 12 months.

The cobbled streets of Little Germany, Bradford’s shimmering Mirror Pool, the rugged Haworth moorland, and inner-city high rises have all featured in big budget dramas, boosting interest in the district’s film-making potential.

Following a significant rise in requests from production companies, Bradford’s City of Film team has launched a new website promoting the district to film-makers worldwide. Called bradfordfilmoffice.com, it will streamline queries from industry professionals. A film officer has been employed for a year – part of Bradford Council’s intern employment scheme – to log enquiries.

The Bradford Film Office, in Little Germany, fields enquiries from production companies and provides assistance and advice on locations, crew, liaison with highways and traffic control and local services such as hotels and catering.

As well as providing information about Bradford to producers, nationally and internationally, the City of Film team is promoting the economic benefits of film-making to local businesses.

City of Film director David Wilson said: “There has been a marked increase in requests for film and TV locations and production support. Bradford is using our UNESCO City of Film status to work with partner organisations and businesses across the city to ensure a film-friendly response to filming requests.

“Bradford’s geography alone lends itself to filming, with the city centre and urban sprawl giving way to rolling hills peppered with picturesque villages. Add to that the amazing Victorian architecture and great transport links, nationally and internationally, and the Bradford Film Office becomes a portal to diverse locations.

“From the post-industrial backdrop of Little Germany to sweeping moorlands surrounding the city, the office has easy access to hidden gems. We’re trying to capitalise on every film enquiry that comes in.

“City of Film has close connections with businesses and property owners, and we want to attract more interest from them. There is lots of demand for locations in hospitals, for example, so we’re reaching out to the NHS, as well as private landlords.”

The team is working with Creative England – which invests in and supports creative ideas, talent and businesses in film, TV, games and digital media – to help local individuals and businesses achieve their full creative and commercial potential, and identify future opportunities to grow the economy and generate jobs.

The growth in regional production supported by Screen Yorkshire through its £7.5m Yorkshire Content Fund has provided a golden opportunity to further exploit Bradford’s varied filming locations.

The Great Train Robbery and Jamaica Inn, both partly filmed in the district, are among major TV dramas receiving investment from the Content Fund, set up in 2012 with European Regional Development funding.

Bafta-nominated period drama Peaky Blinders – filmed at locations such as Undercliffe Cemetery, Peel Park and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway – was the first production supported by the Content Fund, the largest of its kind in the UK. It has since funded productions such as paranormal thriller Residue and family movie Get Santa, both filmed in Bradford.

Screen Yorkshire chief executive Sally Joynson said: “The Yorkshire Content Fund’s investments in film and television have helped production levels increase dramatically across Yorkshire but it is especially pleasing to see this tangible proof of the impact on Bradford.”

The production team behind The Selfish Giant, a film about copper thieves set and shot largely in Bradford, took up residence in the city during the three-month shoot, based in Little Germany offices and staying at the Great Victoria Hotel. Mr Wilson says the film’s success – it won awards worldwide and was nominated for a Bafta this year – shows what can be achieved with support from the City of Film team, which helped with accommodation, locations, cast and crew.

Director Clio Barnard said: “David and the team at Bradford City of Film were extremely helpful with support for The Selfish Giant; negotiating with key agencies in the city to allow access to various locations, providing support with office accommodation and assisting with a screening at the National Media Museum.”

The Government’s tax credit, applied to high-end TV drama from this month, provides more incentives for productions to be made in the UK. Now is the time for the City of Film team to capitalise on this.