New opportunities for budding filmmakers with Bradford’s City of Culture 2025

An exciting new supporter has backed Bradford District’s bid to become City of Culture 2025 – with an immediate benefit to the next generation of filmmakers by creating a talent development programme.

Internationally renowned film production company Clean Slate Filmz, whose OTT Streaming platform Clean Slate Studioz is Yorkshire County Cricket’s new headline Principal Partner, has signed an agreement with Bradford Council to work and learn together.

The partnership, which was agreed and announced on 6 May, means film-making workshops will be established and there will be an internship programme for up to 10 emerging content makers.

A fund for short-form content of up to £10,000 will be established by Clean Slate Filmz and Bradford Council will provide match funding.

Nic Greenan, head of cultural partnerships at Bradford Council, said: “This partnership with Clean Slate Studioz is fantastic for budding film makers in our district and demonstrates the strength of Bradford District’s reputation for film globally by securing an international production company to collaborate with.

“This also demonstrates not only why we have secured a place in the final stages of City of Culture 2025 but also why being a finalist will extend and fast track the exciting opportunities we already have planned.

“Becoming the UK City of Culture will accelerate our intention to put Bradford on the international map for culture. This is Bradford’s moment to showcase to the world what modern British culture looks like. This is Bradford’s time.”

David Wilson, director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said: “Bradford is the world's first UNESCO City of Film and part of a network of UNESCO cities totalling 295 across the world.

“In 2019, Mumbai joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as India's first City of Film and we have been working on strategic plans to develop more collaboration with India across a range of screen projects.

“Clean Slate has a fantastic reputation and a commitment towards sustaining gender equality within the industry, which is also one of our commitments as a UNESCO Creative City so this partnership is a great fit.”

Clean Slate Filmz founder Karnesh Ssharma said: "Clean Slate is an inclusive entertainment platform and at the heart of our mission is to curate content that empowers everyone, especially female professionals. I support developing the pathway of the next generation of creators and to inspire today’s youth to pursue their chosen careers in the creative sector. I believe this will be integral to the future of our industry.
This is why I am incredibly excited to partner with Bradford Council and the district as I truly believe our joint efforts will help to provide new opportunities for emerging talent.”

Co-founder Amreesh Chandra believes that the company’s existing relationship with the county meant that this partnership was very important. He added: “Clean Slate Filmz has an international connection with the county and people of Yorkshire following the landmark partnership deal between our streaming platform, Clean Slate Studioz, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

“When we built this bridge between India and Yorkshire, we were intent on developing more initiatives and partnerships with the entire county, and thus working with the Bradford Council is vitally important for us. We hope that this development programme can not only inspire young people to dream of a career in film, but also help launch one.”

L-R Mick Chandsoor, head of partnerships, Bradford Culture Trust; Amreesh A Chandra, co-founder, Clean Slate Studioz; Karnesh Ssharma, founder, Clean Slate Studioz.