Fifteen young movie-makers have been celebrated for their creativity and talent at the successful “My Life, My City” showcase event, where they presented five-minute films telling their own stories of growing up in Bradford.
The Born in Bradford Age of Wonder project supported by NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber, challenged aspiring filmmakers aged 11 to 18 to combine images, animation, or phone camera footage to create short movies. These films offered a first-hand glimpse into what life is like for young people living in this year’s UK City of Culture and the youngest city in Europe, with more than a third of its population under 25.
Diverse Perspectives on Urban Life
The competition, run under the theme of “My Life, My City,” attracted entries from every corner of the community. All participants received a learning pack and were invited to drop-in sessions offering help and advice on filmmaking. Prizes of up to £500 were awarded, with entries assessed by a panel of industry experts including local film director Louisa Rose Mackleston, University of York’s head of film and television Matt Brannan, and portrait photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn.
Winners Share Their Experiences
Winner Zahra celebrated Bradford’s diversity in their movie, saying: “My city is so special because of its diversity, and I wanted people to see how amazing it is when we all come together. I believe compassion is the key to understanding and accepting each other, and I hope my film inspires others to stand against racism and see the beauty in everyone, no matter where they come from.”
The winning team of Ben, Daniel, Vaugh, and Aaran said participating had been an inspiration to explore the city and opened their eyes to the possibility of a career in filmmaking.
“The My Life My City competition process was really brilliant and good fun,” Ben said. “We learnt new skills and the filming helped us find new places in Bradford we had never seen before. The workshops were great and interesting; Pishdaad helped us go out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves to develop new skills and think about going onto doing more things within the film industry.”
Fellow prize-winner Krishna agreed, saying: “I really enjoyed this opportunity in the competition. I had quite a lot of fun making my movie and it also allowed me to work on my film-making skills as it is something I haven’t done before.”
A Family Celebration
The exclusive showcase event transformed into a heartwarming family celebration that left the audience captivated by Bradford’s young talent. From thoughtful explorations of the city’s rich cultural heritage to powerful personal journeys, the films offered unique perspectives on urban life that only youth could capture.
Their genuine, emotional connections to Bradford shone through in every frame, creating powerful viewing experiences that moved many family members to tears of pride.
Enthusiastic Parent Feedback
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who attended to support their children:
“The age of wonder project is a fantastic initiative which has brought together some wonderfully talented young people from across the district to showcase their creative talents. Watching some of the stories has been wonderfully heart-warming and at times emotional,” said Naz, a parent of one of the participants.
Another parent, Salma, expressed: “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and all the team! We really enjoyed watching all the films! Your dedication to highlighting young voices and celebrating diverse stories is truly inspiring!”
Louise, whose child was among the winners, added: “Thanks everyone for a great event last night, it was brilliant seeing all the movies, thanks for the yummy food & drinks, the lads enjoyed the night and appreciated their certificates and mini oscars!!”
University of York TV Production Experience
As part of their prizes, all 15 winners have been invited to the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies, giving them hands-on experience of television production, including how to create their very own TV show.
The prize winners will:
- Learn the magic of TV production with hands-on experience in professional multi-camera television studios
- Create their own shows by discovering how to plan, shoot, and record television segments with the help of industry professionals
- Step into the shoes of directors, camera operators, and presenters while bringing creative ideas to life
- Explore cutting-edge technology used by professionals in the industry
The showcase has not only celebrated the talents of these young people but has also contributed to a more positive representation of Bradford, highlighting the city’s vibrancy and diversity through the authentic voices of its youth.
Winning videos will be available to watch via Born In Bradford’s YouTube channel.
