#ExpertProfile
David Wilson
University of Bradford – Honorary Fellow in Film
As an Expert Advisor and Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, David Wilson works to drive sustainable development through culture and creativity.
David Wilson is the director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film and is an expert advisor to the UK Commission to UNESCO on the development of creative cities. With a long career history in developing cultural programmes, and extensive knowledge on the use of culture and creativity as a driver for sustainable development, he has provided mentoring and support to many candidate cities applying to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network over the past decade.
David is an international ambassador for the creative cities programme, regularly speaking and presents at film, business and community events on culture and sustainable development. In addition to writing about creativity, film and sustainable development and presenting review shows on TV and radio, he is Director of the Small World Film Festival, the Bradford Family Film Festival and the Golden Years Film Festival in the UK. He is invited to speak at international conferences, festivals and events on the impact of culture and creativity on sustainable development and is often asked to facilitate high level discussions in this area. David was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology at the University of Bradford for his work in Creative Industries to support sustainable development. He is also a member of the advisory board at the Centre for World Cinema & Digital Cultures – University of Leeds, UK.
Looking further afield, David is Guest Professor at the Beijing Film Academy Modern Creative Media College and Fellow in Film at the University of Bradford (UK). In May 2019 he was appointed as international chair to the Editing Committee of China’s Blue Book of Film – an annual publication on the development of the global film industry, published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

#Institution
University of Bradford
Honorary Fellow in Film
#Alma-Matter
University of Bradford
BA, Hon. DTech.
#Role at UNESCO
Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film
QUOTE
“This is a long term strategy to empower communities, increase educational attainment levels and drive inward investment and it works on many levels. I have witnessed the real transformative power of film in education.”
David Wilson, Speaking of his move to University of Bradford Campus to spearhead UNESCO City of Film work.
All accredited experts within our network are elected onto a specific international committee or programme within UNESCO’s framework
ROLE AT UNESCO
David Wilson is Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film and acts as an expert advisor on film and media literacy.
Institutions
University of Bradford
Honorary Fellow in Film
SINCE 2017
University of Bradford
Honorary Doctor of Technology
SINCE 2019
Beijing Film Academy Modern Creative Media College
Guest Professor
SINCE 2019
Role at UNESCO
Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film and Expert Advisor to the UKNC for UNESCO on Film and Media Literacy.
SINCE 2011
COMMISSION
UNESCO Creative Cities Network – City of Film
ESTABLISHED 2009 – BRADFORD, UNITED KINGDOM

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to strengthen cooperation amongst cities recognising creativity, as a strategic factor for sustainable development, with economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts.
Publications
SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK
Read about some of David’s published work on our website, as well as other material, news and articles

Bradford City of Film Report, 2012 – 2016
2016
#BradfordCityofFilm
As the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, Bradford has a rich international film heritage and is paving the way for other Creative Cities to follow. Here is an overview of the projects that the CoF creative team have facilitated over the past four years.

Bradford Film Literature Programme.
NOV 2017
#FilmLiterature
Hear from Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, David Wilson, as he discusses the fantastic opportunities available to people of all ages interested in learning more. Whether about or through film, formal or informal, group or individual, there are so many learning opportunities thanks to David and his team.
LATEST
QUOTE
“The UNESCO status gives us a great calling card. British film and TV productions sell well internationally and are regarded amongst some of the best content in the world. […] We are not rewriting the script here, we are adding to an amazing heritage and using that to inspire future generations.”
David Wilson, Speaking on the move of Bradford UNESCO City of Film to University of Bradford offices.
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