Honorary Fellowships For Amanda Nevill And Steve Abbott

Bradford College has awarded five Honorary Fellowships, two of which support the city’s starring role in film.
Director of the British Film Institute, Amanda Nevill, and film producer, Steve Abbott, were both honoured in the graduation ceremony at St George’s Hall on 5 December.
Amanda Neville is credited with reinventing Bradford’s National Museum of Photography, Film and Television when she joined as Head of Museum in 1994, with a £16 million re-development. She now has one of the most influential jobs in film heading the BFI.
Steve Abbott’s producing credits include A Fish Called Wanda, Fierce Creatures and Brassed Off. He is also Chair of the Bradford City of Film Board. Steve was appointed as ambassador for Bradford in 1997.
Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive, Michele Sutton OBE, said: "It’s significant that two people who have such an influence in Bradford for their work in film are being recognised this year by the College.
"We recently announced a new international collaboration with Mumbai to launch what we hope will become the best film school in the world. The global school opens next autumn and we hope our honorary fellows will inspire students. They are amazing role models and Bradford should be proud and celebrate our unique film heritage."
An Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour that the College can give individuals to recognise their outstanding service or support to the College or city and district of Bradford.
Bradford-born BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration also became an honorary fellow alongside two former students of Bradford College - Balbir Panesar - the founder and MD of PEC Building Services and President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, and Yvonne McGregor MBE, Olympic medallist in Sydney 2000.
Bradford became the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009, with historical and contemporary connections with cinema. Bradford has featured as a film location since the beginning of cinema. It also invented the Cieroscope in Manningham in 1896, contributing to the development of film.
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