In 2023, we invited you to venture out and explore the city through a different lens with Bristol’s Summer Film Takeover, presented by Bristol UNESCO City of Film and partners. Featuring nine free film events taking place across the city centre between June and September 2023, the programme celebrated unique aspects of Bristol’s culture and identity through different screen experiences.

2021 marked 100 years since the death of Bristolian inventor William Friese-Greene (1855-1921), pioneer of early motion pictures. To mark the date and celebrate Bristol’s many modern-day film credentials, Film 2021 was a year-long programme of activities supported by a city-wide partnership of Bristol’s film studios, cinemas, filmmakers and festivals.

Shorts and features from new and emerging Bristol talent are continually generating a buzz with critics and audiences, in the UK and further afield. We take look at a few of the latest successes to come out of Bristol.

Presented by Watershed, Cinema Rediscovered is the innovative festival that brings the best digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities back to the big screen, whilst also celebrating Bristol’s UNESCO status by focusing on local connections.

Run by Encounters Film Festival in partnership with ScreenSkills in 2019, Widening the Lens provided short filmmakers from underrepresented groups with talent, skills and professional development.

In 2018, Bristol’s Afrika Eye Festival and Dakar’s Image et Vie Festival delivered their first collaborative cultural exchange since the two cities became members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Bristol Stories is a collection of individual, personal digital stories made in Bristol. It is a Watershed project in partnership with M Shed with support from Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives and Bristol City Council.