February 25

For Immediate Release  Monday 17.2.25

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MEDIA MUSEUM TO HOST THIS YEAR’S CREATIVE CITIES CONVENTION

The host venue for this year’s Creative Cities Convention, being held in Bradford, will be the prestigious National Science and Media Museum, it was announced today (MON).

Following an 18-month, £6 million renovation project, the museum reopened in January with a transformed entrance space and new David Hockney temporary exhibition, to welcome Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.

In May, the museum will host the convention, the only conference dedicated to people making film, TV, or digital content outside London, staging two days of sessions, debates, and screenings.

The Creative Cities Convention also announced it will present a preview screening of the moving new BBC documentary about the Bradford City stadium fire, which is scheduled to be transmitted in May on BBC2 and iPlayer. Marking the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire features powerful personal testimonies from those who were there, many speaking for the first time.

The free screening, open to the public and delegates, will take place at the museum’s Pictureville cinema on 6 May and be followed by a Q&A with the programme makers, providing a special insight into how the documentary was made.

Lisa Campbell, Director of the Creative Cities Convention, said: “It is an honour to be screening such an important documentary, which tells of a tragedy yet also celebrates the strength of community, resilience, and shared remembrance.”

Creative Cities Convention 2025 is themed “Local to Global: More in Common” and will explore the future development and far-reaching impact of British-made content, from its roots in regional communities to its global influence.

Campbell added: “I can’t think of a more perfect venue to host this year’s conference than the National Science and Media Museum.

“For more than 40 years, the museum has catalogued the innovation and creativity of the UK screen industry, attracting visitors from all over the world. Now, following its stunning renovation, it truly is one of the jewels in Bradford’s crown as it celebrates its global status as the UK City of Culture.”

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the Creative Cities Convention at the museum whilst Bradford is centre stage as UK City of Culture. As the UK’s national museum exploring the evolution of screen technologies, we’re a place of inspiration for the content creators of today and the future.

“And with Bradford as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, where iconic filming locations abound, it’s a fitting place to bring the UK’s TV, film, and digital industries together.”

This year’s Creative Cities Convention, taking place on 7–8 May, will be hosted by journalist Mobeen Azhar and feature leading industry figures and keynote sessions.

Confirmed speakers include:

• BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, in conversation with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin
• Managing Director, Nations and Regions, Channel 4, Sinéad Rocks
• ITV Studios Executive Producer of Continuing Drama, Iain Macleod
• Commissioners including Channel 5 and Paramount Commissioning Editor, Kit Morey; BBC Commissioning Editor, Fran Baker; and Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning, UKTV.
• Independent producers such as ITN Productions Head of Factual, Caroline Short, and Dragonfly North Creative Director, Will Rowson

The convention will also hear from A A Dhand, creator of the BBC crime drama Virdee, which launched this week to critical acclaim.

The programme places a strong emphasis on practical takeaways for delegates, with sessions on funding new shows, building brands, monetising YouTube content, and future-proofing skills in light of AI and virtual production advancements.

The Creative Cities Convention takes place in a different major UK city each year, bringing together delegates to hear industry leaders debate the major issues of the day.

It was founded in 2018 by former director Ruth Pitt, who now serves as advisory chair, and John McVay, Chief Executive of the UK’s Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT).

The CCC’s core stakeholders are the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount, and PACT, with other partners including UKTV. The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council is a supporter of the 2025 Creative Cities Convention.

Previous conferences have been held in Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow (online), Birmingham, Newcastle, and Bristol. Past speakers and participants have included Lenny Henry, Kirsty Wark, David Olusoga, Anita Rani, and Robson Green, alongside numerous leaders from the broadcasting, streaming, and production communities.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE CITIES CONVENTION

The Creative Cities Convention is a leading event bringing together producers and distributors in the fields of film, television, and digital media outside London.

Established in 2018, the convention is supported by key stakeholders, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5/Paramount, and PACT, and is committed to providing practical support and networking opportunities for professionals in the screen sector. The 2024 conference was held in Bristol.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MEDIA MUSEUM

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, opened in 1983, and has since become one of the most visited UK museums outside London.

It draws on more than three million objects from its national collection to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives.  
   
The museum creates special exhibitions, interactive galleries and activities for families and adults, and is home to Pictureville, Yorkshire’s biggest independent cinema with three screens including Europe’s first IMAX and the only public Cinerama venue in the world.

The Sound and Vision Project is a £6m capital investment, and in addition to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also has support from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, Bradford Council and the Science Museum Group, which the National Science and Media Museum is a part of. 

Two new permanent galleries showcasing the museum’s world-class collections themed around photography, film, television sound, animation and gaming, will open in early summer.

For further information, contact press@creativecitiesconvention.com.

One of Bradford’s key creative hubs is The Unit, a free, open-access space for filmmakers in the city and surrounding areas. Visit www.theunit.org.uk to learn more about the district’s emerging talent base.