Salford’s Media City becomes focus of new film celebrating its continued success
- Marketing Manchester produced film in collaboration with Salford Council
- Film supports plans for Media City to double in size over the next 10 years to attract more residents, students and investors
- Cast includes BBC presenters and stars of Coronation Street as well as local residents
A new film has been comissioned to celebrate the success of Media City and explore how the development has impacted the lives of many people.
Titled MediaCity: The Next Chapter, it has been produced by local promotion agency Marketing Manchester on behalf of Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership in collaboration with Salford Council, the University of Salford and Media City.
Since 2011, Media City has become a key hub in Manchester’s £5bn eco digital system but the film reveals plans for the area to double in size over the next 10 years.
This move comes in the hope of attracting even more residents, visitors, students and investors to the area.
MediaCity: The Next Chapter features video tours by people who have lived, worked or spent their spare time at Media City before, during and since its major transformation.
Local actor and tour guide Ashif Ashik leads the cast, which include Coronation Street actor Colson Smith, BBC presenter Katie Thistleton and Paul Milligan, a grandfather who has watched his children and grandchildren go on to work and study at Media City.
Katie Thistleton said: “I love Media City and owe my whole career to this place.
“From working behind the scenes at CBBC, to presenting there and now doing my Radio 1 show from there every Sunday, I really feel like it’s my home.”
She added: “It’s definitely one of my favourite places to be!”
Media City is also a home for major eduactional institutions including HOST, the home of Skills and Technology and the Univesity of Salford.
Professor Alan Walker, dean of the school of arts, media and creative technology at Salford University has backed the production of the film.
“Celebrating 10 years of the University of Salford at media city was a pivotal moment for us this year,” he said.
“Over the past decade we have forged key partnerships with the broadcast, creative and technology industries and established ourselves in the DNA of this global media hub.
“This has led to the establishment of national and international networks of activity and an established pipeline of talent.
“These activities and our highly talented graduates will continue to transform Greater Manchester.”
The project was led by Marketing Manchester Content Curator, Simon Donohue and the video production team at communications agency Social.
MediaCity: The Next Chapter is available to view on Marketing Manchester’s YouTube channel.