Galway’s bid to become an UNESCO City of Film is one step closer this week after councillors gave their full approval and support for the submission.
At Monday’s meeting of the Galway City Council all councillors agreed that formal approval and support should be given to the bid submission being made by the Western Audiovisual Forum.
The forum is made up of 18 organisations, namely Údaras na Gaeltachta, TG4, Galway County Council (Arts Office ), Galway City Council (Arts Office ), NUI Galway, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Telegael, EO Telifís, Tidal Films, Abú Media, Gaelmedia, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway Film Centre, Cinemobile, Studio Solas, Power Pictures, Media Antenna, and Galway Picture Palace.
Chaired by the Galway Film Centre the forum has developed a bid to establish Galway and the surrounding region as a UNESCO City of Film, and part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. This designation, as well as being an international recognition, allows access to funding for the development of film, together with the associated benefits of same. The city council currently supports this form of art with regard to the Film Fleadh, the Film Centre, and the Art House Cinema, and was central to the setting up of the Film Partnership.
The assessment process for this designation has been described as “very thorough” and “competitive” and that it could take up to one year to advance. It is understood that Galway’s bid application will be examined from a preliminary view by UNESCO in September of this year.
