Nine gifted filmmakers who beat off competition from around the world to win accolades with Bradford UNESCO City of Film are set to have their films premiered on Sky Arts.
Sky Arts supported the competition run by Bradford UNESCO City of Film which gave talented young filmmakers new opportunities to screen their work. As well as leading the judging panel and awarding prize money, the director of the channel offered to screen the films for a year.
All nine short films premiere on the channel on Friday August 28th from 5.20pm and will be seen across the UK and Ireland in Sky homes.
Among the delighted filmmakers are Bradford University student, Himarsha Ukwatta who impressed judges with a beautiful film about the city’s iconic Lister Park and American, Greg Bishop who focused his film on the unique talents of a man who makes guitars from cigar boxes.
Greg Bishop from Wisconsin, USA said: “ I’m honoured to have my first television premiere on Sky Arts! I look forward to having my film screened alongside work from other talented filmmakers and artists on a network dedicated to the exhibition and support of the arts.”
Sri-Lankan born Himarsha Ukwatta said: “It means a lot to me to have one my films on Sky Arts. It feels like a remarkable occasion in my student life as well as my career. I feel proud that I have achieved one of my goals in my life.”
Director of Sky Arts, Philip Edgar-Jones said: “We are thrilled to be able to support emerging filmmakers in partnership with the Bradford International Film Competition. I was personally very impressed with the standard of story-telling and visual flair across the board and I am sure our discerning Sky Arts audience will be equally impressed. I am sure we will be seeing more of their work at a bigger scale in the years to come.
Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, David Wilson said: “Working with Sky Arts has been a wonderful partnership and I am delighted for our filmmakers that their highly creative and engaging work being screened on Sky Arts.”
“It’s been great to be able to host a competition which attracts film talent from around the world and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Sky Arts for supporting this competition aimed at encouraging and profiling new talent. ”
Big Screen Bradford is a giant outdoor screen in the heart of one of England’s most vibrant and exciting cities with an international reputation for film and media.
Situated in front of the National Media Museum in the award winning City Park with its mirror pool and shooting fountains, the screen is a pioneering arts project designed to bring cutting edge film and creativity to the heart of the urban environment.
Up to 300,000 people pass the screen each month – offering unprecedented exposure for filmmakers to showcase their work.
