I - Keighley Art & Film Festival (KAFF)

Above: One of last year’s popular Keighley Art and Film Festival events.

Value

£240,000

Purpose

To improve the local cultural offer, increasing visitor footfall thus supporting increased economic activity and productivity. It would boost the night-time economy in Keighley and provide places for people to go.

Objectives

• Increasing commercial opportunities for local businesses to generate income and employment, which has a positive impact on the local economy generating growth in gross value added (GVA) and jobs – increased visitor numbers and tourism supports businesses through higher spend.
• Locally, the enhanced attractiveness of Keighley as a place to visit will change visitor and local consumer behaviour, increasing footfall, expenditure and business turnover.
• Investment in KAFF will improve the attractiveness of Keighley as a place to visit and shop. The uplift in visitor spending in the town’s economy is likely to have a positive impact bearing on the value of retail space. Improving tourism and attracting visitors to the festival’s activities and events would support growth in and contribute to the prosperity of Keighley.
• Information provided by Keighley Creative shows that KAFF has been successful in attracting audiences of 6,000 in 2021 and forecasts growth of 2,000 per year. By 2025 it is anticipated that KAFF will attract audiences of around 14,000.

Position up to April 2024

Festival Director planning a festival of events to run throughout the year. Stock room cinema was well received. Mega Drawing Box event successful, footfall up 10% in shopping centre. I am brill event received widespread positive feedback. The team are looking for match funding and sponsorship to deliver more events, such as soap box races.

Project sponsor

Keighley Creative

Further information

For further information on this project contact Michelle.Rushworth@bradford.gov.uk.