Screen Time

Screen Time is a Yorkshire Film Archive initiative dedicated to safeguarding the born digital films that capture life today. Digital files may feel permanent, but they’re surprisingly fragile — hard drives fail, memory sticks disappear, formats become obsolete, and online platforms can vanish without warning. Our role is to make sure these contemporary films are preserved with the same care and commitment as analogue collections, so future generations can experience them too.

To mark Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture 2025, we launched a major call-out for digital films created across the city. It was a moment when stories were being shared, communities were celebrating, and people were documenting what Bradford means to them. We saw an opportunity to gather footage that reflects the city as it is right now — vibrant, diverse, and full of character. Filmmakers from across Bradford responded with an incredible range of short films, documentaries, event coverage, and personal stories.

The exhibitions you’re about to explore have been curated by volunteers using contemporary footage preserved through the Screen Time project. Together, these films amplify the voices of Bradford’s communities — from the rebellious pulse of its music scene to the proud, vibrant expressions of its LGBT+ community. Each story stands on its own, yet collectively they reveal a city united by creativity, resilience, and the determination to be heard. What emerges is a shared celebration of identity and belonging in a place people continue to shape, challenge, and call home.

To scroll through the exhibitions in the way they are intended, simply click the right arrow → with your mouse at the bottom of the exhibition, or by using the right → arrow on your keyboard. Make sure to set the exhibition to full screen, with your volume turned on.