The cities of Manchester and Bristol have been named UNESCO Creative Cities in global recognition of their outstanding contributions to culture and creativity.
The UNESCO Global Creative Cities Network is a global network of cities working towards the joint mission of placing creativity and cultural industries at the core of their urban development to make their cities safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
Bristol is home to world-leading media. Aardman Animations set up studios in Bristol in 1976, finding fame with Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep, among many others. BBC Bristol produces globally recognised radio, drama, factual and wildlife television, and is home to the largest production facility in the West of England, Bottle Yard Studios, whose productions include Poldark, Broadchurch, and Wolf Hall. BBC Bristol also houses the globally significant Natural History Unit, spawning ‘Green Hollywood’, the world’s largest concentration of firms producing wildlife content. With 11 community-driven international festivals dedicated to film annually, 10 cinemas, and 2 major universities (University of the West of England and University of Bristol) providing 28 film related degrees, Bristol will play a central role in this global network of like-minded cities.