In a city best known for its past, some of the amazing futuristic work being undertaken in York is going under the radar.
Compelling work across film, television, games and digital arts is being created in the city.
There are companies working with the likes of Netflix, Sky, Apple, Amazon Prime Video, BAFTA, Canon, Adidas, Formula 1 and more.
The creative and digital sector is crucial if York is to develop a prosperous, knowledge-based economy fit for the 21st century.
Later this month the creative industries will take centre stage at a new event.
Reignite: The Economic Impact of Media Arts is being hosted by the York BID, starting 6pm on Thursday 14 September at the Radisson Hotel.
The event will shine a light on the growing businesses in the fields of visual effects, film and TV and games.
Nine years ago, York was designated as a UNESCO City of Media Arts. The event will ask: how can the city leverage that status to attract more inward investment?
The sector’s leaders will also discuss how we can create clear pathways from primary schools through to higher education allowing the next generation to develop the digital skills the sector needs.
‘Exciting projects’
York BID is staging Reignite in partnership with Aesthetica and Viridian FX.
Andrew Lowson, executive director of York BID said:“York is home to a lot of innovative businesses doing great things in the creative/ media arts sphere.
“We think a lot of this work maybe goes under the radar and we’d like to help showcase it and celebrate the exciting projects that are being delivered by York businesses.
“I was blown away by some of the global franchises that local people are creating content for, so I am sure attendees who can make the event will be equally enthused.”
Cherie Federico, director of Aesthetica, said: “Reignite is a timely and essential reframing of the city’s creative industries.
“We need to look at the economic impact of the media arts, heritage and cultural outputs of our city and how we have an opportunity in York to develop a new knowledge-based economy that supports the next generation of entrepreneurs in the creative sector.
“It’s important for the creative industries to be on a par with other sectors such as retail, transport, hospitality, and tourism.
“This sector plays a major role in fuelling the city’s economy and we now have the opportunity to do more.”
Kit Monkman, director of Viridian FX said: “I can envision a future in which all of York’s residents are proud of the city’s designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts, one in which all of its citizens have access to educational pathways, from primary school to higher education, pathways that offer genuine and unparalleled access to some of the world’s most exciting jobs in games, films and TV.
“Reignite is a catalyst towards that future.”
Reignite – Growth Through Creativity: The Economic Impact of Media Arts is at the Radisson Hotel, North Street, York on Thursday, 14 September at 6pm. It is free and you can reserve a spot here