New event ‘Reignite’ celebrates York’s bright future for media arts sector

In a city best known for its past, some of the most compelling works across film, television, games and digital arts are being created right here in York.

There are companies working with the likes of Netflix, Sky, Apple, Amazon Prime Video, BAFTA, Canon, Adidas, Formula 1 and many more.

The creative and digital sector is crucial for York, and, as the city develops a prosperous, knowledge-based economy fit for the 21st century, as a city we must recognise the economic impact of this sector on the wider economy. The Creative Industries are playing a transformational role in developing new jobs, skills and opportunities for young people. The sector will take centre stage at a new event this month: Reignite: The Economic Impact of Media Arts which is being hosted by the York BID, starting 6pm on 14th September, at the Radisson Hotel, North Street, York. 

The event will shine a light on the growing role of York's media industry, covering businesses such as visual effects, film and TV and games. Some of the city’s digital pioneers are renowned across the world. Nine years ago, York was designated as a UNESCO City of Media Arts. This is global recognition for the city’s rich and diverse outputs. We must ask, how the city can leverage that status to attract more inward investment? This will be one of the key discussion points at Reignite. 

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. The York BID is staging Reignite in partnership with Aesthetica and Viridian FX. 

Create. Transform. Reignite the Future. The Economic Impact of Creative Industries in York  

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.”