Bristol’s thriving film industry has been recognized at Cannes

Bristol won the City of Film award at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

It was beaten off by competition from other pre-selected cities Limerick in Ireland, Sofia in Bulgaria, Tulsa in the United States and Zagreb in Croatia.

The judges said Bristol had contributed “remarkable” and “enduring” work to the world of film and TV production.

Laura Aviles, head of film at Bristol City Council, said: “Bristol is ensuring that film and the filming business remain at the heart of the city’s future growth.”

The annual awards, supported by leading film publication Screen International, took place at Mademoiselle Gray d’Albion Plage in the town on the south coast of France.

The judges said Bristol “ticked the boxes for the significance of film and TV in all forms, from past to present”.

They credited Stephen Merchant’s crime comedy TV series The Outlaws, the BBC Natural History Unit, Sir David Attenborough, Aardman Animations, Bristol-born actor Cary Grant and 19th-century film pioneer William Friese-Greene.

The work of Bristol Film Office and The Bottle Yard Studios has also been praised for its film and television productions.

Council leader Tony Dyer said it was “fantastic” that the town had been recognised.

“As one of Bristol’s fastest growing business areas, providing jobs, boosting skills and securing investment for our city, both the studio and the industry continue to make a significant contribution to the local economy,” he added .

Ms Aviles said: “Over the past decade and a half, The Bottle Yard Studios’ work alongside Bristol Film Office has taken the production of high-end scripted film and television to a whole new level.

“Today, we are a leading regional hub for production, a tried and trusted filming destination for producers with an incredible base of local crews.”

Natalie Moore, Manager of UNESCO Bristol City of Film, said: “What an incredible achievement for the many companies, organizations and individuals working in different areas of the film sector in the city.”