We’re delighted to share the good news that the city of Bristol is set to lead the world in the powering of major public events by establishing a clean power hub for its summer programme that guarantees renewable energy for music festivals, high attendance cultural events – and film & television productions.

This month marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in London. As one of the UK’s 13 Creative Cities, we’re taking a look at UNESCO’s origins, its importance on the international stage today, and the leading role the UK continues to play across its global programmes and networks.

We caught up with the Bristolian director about the growing momentum of his latest film, the career that took him from Long Ashton to Hollywood – and what it’s like to be back in his hometown after 40 years away.

To mark World Cities Day 2025 on 31st October, 58 cities were added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network – including 4 new Cities of Film that we are delighted to welcome to our Subnetwork!

Bristol’s film community celebrated our global UNESCO City of Film connections at Watershed last week (28th October) for Kathmandu Calling — an evening of films by emerging talent from our sister City of Film, Kathmandu.

Our Manager Natalie Moore headed out to Busan UNESCO City of Film, South Korea, for this years’ annual meeting of Film Cities. She shares her experience of K-Pop, K-Drama, animation, tech and more in this guest blog.

Windrush Caribbean Film Festival and Curiosity UnLtd invite you to a vibrant day of film, art and conversation at Bristol’s iconic Arnolfini on Saturday 28th June from 3pm.

Our friends in Rome UNESCO City of Film are inviting submissions for their new international short film competition: The Creative City: Stories in Motion. 

Congratulations to Bristol-based Director Tristan Sherfield and the whole team behind short documentary Forgotten Fibre, which has been selected to screen this Sunday 25th May at the Green Visions Festival in our fellow UNESCO City of Film, Potsdam.

A new film that uncovers the untold story of Bristol’s IMAX cinema – a once state-of-the-art venue left abandoned in the heart of the city for over a decade – and its remarkable transformation into a grassroots community cinema space, will have its World Premiere at this year’s Forbidden Worlds Festival.

All Set West, a bold new skills package designed to power up careers, grow connections and unlock opportunities behind the camera for underrepresented talent across the West of England, is officially underway – with applications now open for the first round of free All Set West Training designed to get industry newcomers set ready for entry-level scripted production roles.

BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated film producer Stephen Woolley will deliver the opening night keynote at the 9th annual edition of Cinema Rediscovered, taking place from 23-27 July 2025 in and around Bristol UNESCO City of Film. Early Bird tickets are now on sale!