By KLTV Newsdesk –

The University of Huddersfield’s Cultures of Film programme has unveiled a co-designed engagement film and toolkit, marking a major milestone in the development of the new Kirklees Cultural Strategy.

This initiative invites residents, freelancers, and community groups to move beyond traditional consultation and participate in a grassroots “Listening and Shaping” process.

Cultures of Film is a programme dedicated to exploring the intersection of cinema, community, and local identity.

Co-Design at the Heart of Strategy

The newly released film and conversation toolkit are the results of an intensive collaboration between the University, cultural partners, council teams, and creative freelancers.

Built upon insights from four co-design workshops and the Stories in Motion exhibition, the project uses simple, relatable language to reflect everyday cultural life across the district.

The toolkit is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that the voices of Kirklees residents directly influence the priorities of the emerging Cultural Strategy before it moves to formal consultation later this year.

Watch the preview film here

Tools for Every Community

To ensure wide-reaching engagement, the University has developed two distinct ways for the public and facilitators to use these resources:

• The 5-Minute “Pop-up” Conversation: A short, informal format perfect for events, open days, or chance encounters.
• The 45-Minute Deep Dive: A structured session focused on the five priority areas of the strategy, ideal for community groups, voluntary networks, and local residents.

Share Your Voice

The University is inviting everyone in the Kirklees area to view the film and share their feedback via an interactive Padlet: Conversations about Culture: Short Conversation Online

This insight will be fed directly to the Kirklees Cultural Strategy steering group to refine the draft strategy.

What’s Next?

The momentum continues from March through June 2026, as “Culture Labs” will begin popping up across Kirklees.

These labs will act as collaborative hubs where communities can think about their “cultural futures” and co-create localised action plans.