The Creative Cities Convention 2025 will be hosted in Bradford, aligning with its title as UK City of Culture.
- This annual event will see industry leaders and thinkers in film and TV convene to discuss pressing issues.
- Incoming CCC director Lisa Campbell expressed her enthusiasm for Bradford as a diverse and youthful city.
- Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar anticipates the convention will boost Bradford’s role in creative industries.
- Mayor Tracy Brabin highlights the convention’s economic significance for West Yorkshire’s creative sector.
The Creative Cities Convention (CCC) has chosen Bradford as the host city for its seventh annual event, scheduled to take place on May 7 and 8 in 2025. This decision aligns with Bradford’s recognition as the UK City of Culture for that year, a testament to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Each year, the CCC brings together hundreds of delegates in a different major UK city. These gatherings provide a platform for leading figures in the film and television sectors to discuss significant topics affecting the industry.
Lisa Campbell, the new director of the CCC, expressed her excitement about the selection of Bradford as the host city. She views this as an opportunity to highlight the district’s budding screen sector and the potential for growth, particularly through initiatives like ‘The Unit’, a free-to-use screen hub based in Keighley. Campbell anticipates that the event will help establish lasting connections within the media sector.
Shanaz Gulzar, the creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, sees the convention as a chance for the city to welcome creatives from various fields, particularly from those involved in film, TV, and digital content. As a UNESCO City of Film, Bradford is committed to nurturing its creative industries, further solidifying its position as a hub for innovative media production.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, remarked on the expected impact of Bradford’s role as the UK City of Culture in 2025. She noted that the region’s creative industries are not only driving economic growth but also creating new job opportunities, fostering a stronger and more vibrant West Yorkshire. Brabin welcomes the illumination the event will bring to the production potential within the region.
This announcement follows news that Lisa Campbell will assume her role as the new director of CCC. Her background includes a tenure as ITN’s Director of Corporate Communications, alongside previous positions such as director of the Edinburgh International Television Festival. The CCC, established in 2018 by Ruth Pitt and John McVay, seeks to engage new supporters among its existing partners, including prominent organisations like BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
The convention has been previously hosted in cities including Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow (online), Birmingham, Newcastle, and Bristol. Past speakers at the event have included notable personalities such as Lenny Henry and Kirsty Wark, contributing to a robust dialogue within the broadcasting and production communities.
Bradford’s hosting of the Creative Cities Convention in 2025 promises to enhance its cultural and economic landscape significantly.
