An initiative developed to drill down into the detail of the health and wellbeing of Bradford’s youth is hoping to inspire young people to tell their own stories by mixing photos and video from family archives with newer footage shot with their phones.
Chosen as the UK’s City of Culture in 2025, Bradford already has a long affinity with film and photography, boasting the national museum and the birthplace of David Hockney, one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.
But, Born in Bradford’s My Life, My City project is hoping to unearth contemporary talent by challenging TikTokkers and Insta aces aged 11 to 18 to compile their own five-minute movie, with generous prizes on offer for those judged to be the best.
Entries must be submitted by 1 October this year in one of three categories:
- My Life: for filmmakers wishing to document their life from birth to the present day, perhaps using family pictures and archived film footage tracking how they have changed as they’ve grown up.
- My City: for those who prefer to showcase the city from their own perspective in a way only a Bradfordian can
- My Life, My City: for budding directors who want to document both their own journey and how it fits into life in Bradford.
But it’s not just a contest for the seasoned filmmakers. All who sign up will be offered learning packs as well as hands-on advice and guidance from professionals via webinars and at drop-in sessions.
The only stipulations are that the film must be no more than five minutes long and filmed by someone aged 11 to 18 living at a Bradford address. Collaborations and multiple entries are allowed with the films to be assessed by a panel of professional filmmakers.
The best five films will win their makers £500 vouchers. Ten more will also receive £100 voucher each. All 15 prize winners will then be invited to spend a day at the School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York where they will get hands-on experience of television production and learn how to create their very own TV show!
Born in Bradford’s Age of Wonder programme coordinator, Zarina Mirza said: “We’d love to see as many young people as possible have a go so we’ve made it as easy as we can. This is your chance to make history in the most fun and positive way for our awesome city.
“You can use existing images or video footage which might already be in family collections and then mix that up with more recent material or new video filmed this summer if you prefer. It’s up to each entrant to decide how they put their film together.
“If you’re still not comfortable working on your own, it’s fine to join up with a group with friends.
“But, other than a summer of fun and positivity, what we hope the project also achieves is to provide an absorbing and authentic insight into what life is like for Bradford’s young people – told in their own words and with their own images.”
As a project director and competition judge, Pishdaad Moderassi also assured young entrants that technical proficiency is by no means essential.
He said: “You don’t need a fancy camera – your phone is fine for new footage – and it can be a documentary, a musical, an animated film; it’s entirely up to you. What the judges are really going to be looking for are character and creativity.
“There are lots of editing apps out there but everyone who signs up will be added to our mailing list so they can receive a help pack as well as invitations to join in with workshops and webinars on how to film and edit your project.”
More information about the My Life, My City project is available via: https://borninbradford.nhs.uk/what-we-do/our-programmes/my-life-my-city/
To learn more about Born in Bradford, visit: https://borninbradford.nhs.uk/about-us/