Bradford City of Film officially starts later this month with the aim of making film an integral part of the city’s identity.

Since becoming the first city in the world to receive the designation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, organisers have been working to come up with events to mark its launch.

These events will start with a civic reception on Thursday, March 18, to coincide with the opening of Bradford International Film Festival.

Other events to celebrate the launch, which will be held throughout the first weekend of the festival, include screening opportunities for amateur film-makers at Bradford Playhouse, a ‘pop-up’ free cinema in an empty city-centre shop, and a family funday at the National Media Museum.

Telegraph & Argus readers will also have the chance to walk the red carpet at the city’s first People’s Premiere.

City of Film director Peg Alexander said the accolade would have benefits for everyone in Bradford, by making the city a world-class tourist destination and a place to enjoy, learn about and make films.

She said: “We are trying to give Bradford a fabulous film-filled future and put film at the heart of the city’s development.

“We want film to become part of Bradford’s identity so if someone asks where you live and work and you say Bradford, they will immediately identify it with film.”

Participation packs containing suggestions of how to celebrate the launch at home can be downloaded from the City of Film website – bradford-city-of-film.com.

Mrs Alexander added: “We want to make this the destination for film lovers. We want to make it easier for people to enjoy films here and go to the locations where they were filmed.”

Colin Philpott, director of the National Media Museum in Bradford, said: “City of Film is a fantastic opportunity for Bradford and is something which over a period of time can really be part of the regeneration of Bradford.

“The thing I feel really strongly about is if it’s just a badge or a label we will have failed to really exploit the opportunity to make a real difference.”