https://linktr.ee/northernheartfilms

Northern Heart Films, Studio 23 & 24 The Old Courts, Wigan (2025)

30/10/2025

Northern Heart were delighted to send our Development Researcher, Lewis Doherty, to the launch night of GONE NORF ( )'s debut print magazine at UNITOM in the Northern Quarter, Manchester!

We created a short reel with founder, the wonderfully creative Rosie Callaghan, to celebrate this vital new publication and its mission.

Rosie founded Gone Norf in early 2025 as an independent arts and culture magazine paired with a social club. The core mission is powerful, to "amplify Northern creatives, challenge outdated narratives and build community through the arts."

Rosie speaks to a challenge so many professionals face, "Even after moving to Manchester, the pressure to relocate to London to 'make it' still lingers in me. Gone Norf is my way of pushing back, proving that creative success can, and should, happen here."

A huge congratulations to Rosie! We wish you all the very best on the next issue and look forward to seeing the incredible impact you'll continue to have.

22/10/2025

"I've seen (the Northern Doc Fund) grow already with the partners involved, the budgets and where the films go afterwards. I want it to see it continue, and continue to grow and the spread and the outreach and the amount of people that it can impact and really become not just a fund but a movement. I'm currently now working for Northern Heart Films in the capacity of a Researcher and Content Coordinator, and that is sort of a direct result of my involvement in the Doc Fund."

Northern Heart's own Vicky Best was a recipient of the first edition of the Doc Fund in 2023, creating her beautiful film A LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON a glimpse into the ritual, perspective and history of a selection of Gujarati Hindu women in Bolton. Since being selected for the Doc Fund Vicky has worked closely with Northern Heart on a variety of projects since 2023, including directing this very shoot, a short film exploring the impact of the Doc Fund and continuing her own independent practice as a filmmaker and visual artist. In 2025 she joined the team officially as a Researcher and Content Coordinator utilising her seasoned expertise to support the development and production of new original content.

The Northern Doc Fund is a short documentary funding opportunity for emerging working-class filmmakers in the North of England. We support new talent with funding, mentorship, access to industry and a platform to display their work, empowering them to grow as confident documentary makers.

We are documenting the stories around the Northern Doc Fund from it's recipients to it's partners, exploring the positive impact it is having across the North of England. Approaching the launch of it's 4th addition in 2026 we hope to spread the message of the fund to ambitious emerging filmmakers and future partners alike and hope to inspire greater opportunities for working-class talent across the North.

Photography by Lewis Doherty

22/10/2025

"It's looking where talent sits and wrapping around the expertise that Northern Heart bring and the partners bring to allow the individuals supported through the funds to really grow and to develop and to have those access points to the industry and to get an amazing piece of work that they can then use to further their own careers..."

"We want to see more opportunities annually provided in terms of individuals supported through the funds. We want to see the expanse of where those amazing, documentary films are reaching and who are seeing them and helping to get that out and but also make this a northern rooted program, but with national or international significance."

Neil Harris Business Manager for Culture, Arts & Heritage at Wigan Borough Council has been a steadfast supporter to Northern Heart and the Northern Doc Fund. Wigan council are a core funder of the Doc Fund and have championed the project from it's inception. They are passionate trailblazers in supporting emerging talent in the North, putting their money where their mouth is through making meaningful strides to support the local arts ecology.

The Northern Doc Fund is a short documentary funding opportunity for emerging working-class filmmakers in the North of England. We support new talent with funding, mentorship, access to industry and a platform to display their work, empowering them to grow as confident documentary makers.

We are documenting the stories around the Northern Doc Fund from it's recipients to it's partners, exploring the positive impact it is having across the North of England. Approaching the launch of it's 4th addition in 2026 we hope to spread the message of the fund to ambitious emerging filmmakers and future partners alike and hope to inspire greater opportunities for working-class talent across the North.

Photography by Lewis Doherty

20/10/2025

"A lot of funding bodies are hard to access and the North itself has a big gap for funding... So I think having a fund here is so important."

Filmmaker Anton Arenko was a Honorary Doc Fund recipient in 2024, recognised for his strong application and incredible story. Despite not being a Doc Fund recipient Anton still created his short documentary 'End to End' which we screened at the Northern Doc Fund showcase at Leigh Film Factory. We are proud to continue to champion and support his work.

The Northern Doc Fund is a short documentary funding opportunity for emerging working-class filmmakers in the North of England. We support new talent with funding, mentorship, access to industry and a platform to display their work, empowering them to grow as confident documentary makers.

We are documenting the stories around the Northern Doc Fund from it's recipients to it's partners, exploring the positive impact it is having across the North of England. Approaching the launch of it's 4th addition in 2026 we hope to spread the message of the fund to ambitious emerging filmmakers and future partners alike and hope to inspire greater opportunities for working-class talent across the North.

Photography by Lewis Doherty

16/10/2025

"I hope that people start to realise that they don't have to move to London or cities in order to make work. Some of the most exciting work and work that needs to be made is provincial... The Northern Doc Fund goes out of it's way to put money and influence into the hands of people who live in diverse places across the North and the impact of that is huge."

Filmmaker and programmer Edie Barnabas is one of this year's Northern Doc Fund recipients, currently in production for their short documentary 'Binderella'. Edie was shortlisted for the Northern Doc Fund pitch at LA1 Shorts, performing a incredible pitch at the festival.

Since their successful pitch Northern Heart have been supporting the production of their film and are super excited to help platform and amplify their film and career.

The Northern Doc Fund is a short documentary funding opportunity for emerging working-class filmmakers in the North of England. We support new talent with funding, mentorship, access to industry and a platform to display their work, empowering them to grow as confident documentary makers.

We are documenting the stories around the Northern Doc Fund from it's recipients to it's partners, exploring the positive impact it is having across the North of England. Approaching the launch of it's 4th addition in 2026 we hope to spread the message of the fund to ambitious emerging filmmakers and future partners alike and hope to inspire greater opportunities for working-class talent across the North.

Photography by Lewis Doherty

15/10/2025

"Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't, we've got to work much harder to address that... A Project like the Northern Doc Fund is such an exemplar programme to be a part of. I think it's something that should be everywhere, it should be a national programme."

Ed Matthews-Gentle Programme Lead at Creative Lancashire is an incredible partner and supporter to the Northern Doc Fund, he joined us this week to talk about his role in the fund, it's importance and what more needs to be done to support emerging screen talent across the North.

The Northern Doc Fund is a short documentary funding opportunity for emerging working-class filmmakers in the North of England. We support new talent with funding, mentorship, access to industry and a platform to display their work, empowering them to grow as confident documentary makers.

We are documenting the stories around the Northern Doc Fund from it's recipients to it's partners, exploring the positive impact it is having across the North of England. Approaching the launch of it's 4th addition in 2026 we hope to spread the message of the fund to ambitious emerging filmmakers and future partners alike and hope to inspire greater opportunities for working-class talent across the North.

Photography by Lewis Doherty

14/10/2025

We spent the morning at our home base, The Old Courts in Wigan, capturing the stories behind our Northern Doc Fund.

It's such a versatile space to work with, and we're so proud to have these facilities on our doorstep.

Thank you to all the partners and past Doc Fund winners who attended. Your sincere contributions and lived experiences are the heart of this scheme. We're committed to ensuring the Northern Doc Fund grows into the grand vision Natasha and I share for supporting the next generation of filmmakers.

Year 4 of the Northern Doc Fund is on the way!

14/10/2025

We've had a wonderful morning filming our Northern Doc Fund impact video with some of our partners and past Doc Fund winners.

And what a lovely space to be in! The Old Courts is such a versatile space, we love being based here.

We'll soon be preparing to launch our 4th Northern Doc Fund year very soon.

Watch this space!

08/10/2025

Go behind the scenes of our recent shoot for a special commission by Media Trust and Santander Foundation at Paddock Trust in Huddersfield!

This project was particularly exciting for us at Northern Heart Films as it provided a fantastic opportunity for emerging talent, marking director Roz Di Caprio's first online commercial.

We're passionate about supporting Northern creatives, and it was a privilege to provide the production support that allowed Roz to work with the wonderful contributors, all real people involved with the Paddock Trust charity.

06/10/2025

We had an inspiring weekend at Bolton Film Festival connecting with some wonderful filmmakers during the industry 1-2-1s!

Thanks Adrian Barber for inviting us, we had a great day, and it's always such a great festival to attend. Especially as we always seem to bump into old friends, it's a great place to fall back in love with the craft of filmmaking.

As Northern Heart, it was a privilege to discuss our groundbreaking Northern Doc Fund, a scheme dedicated to championing working class documentary makers in the North.

We met so many passionate filmmakers and are looking forward to reading their applications when our fund opens up again in early 2026.

03/10/2025

It's absolutely brilliant to finally be making some serious headway on Northern Heart's next independent documentary.

A couple of years ago, a book called Police to Paranoia landed on our desk, and over the Christmas break, we read it cover to cover and was utterly horrified and gripped by the true story unfolding through its pages.

Written by Rebecca House, the book is Rebecca's own terrifying account.

At 29, her perfect life as a police officer was shattered by trauma, leading to her arrest by colleagues and a terrifying 28 day fight to overcome psychosis and escape a psychiatric hospital.

Her story is a powerful testament to hope, proving that even when the impossible seems set in stone, it might still be within reach, as she fought to reclaim her career and now lives life to the full as a mother of two.

We've done the rounds shopping the idea, but we felt potential funders were trying to reframe the story too much. So, we're cracking on with it ourselves to do Beck's true story the justice it deserves.

29/09/2025

We are excited to be attending Bolton Film Festival this Saturday to represent our Northern Doc Fund.

We've been invited to be part of an incredible session inspired by Sheffield Doc/Fest's Meet Market. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers to have curated, one on one meetings with top industry experts, including producers, programmers, and funders.

Our groundbreaking fund is dedicated to supporting working class Northern filmmakers, and we're looking forward to providing tailored guidance and support to help them take their next steps in the industry.

It's a privilege to be part of such a great initiative. We can't wait to connect with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals!

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfilhzoL4GaxiX_IThRnzFeKdx1Sqoax2BVWibH9vF8JirOjA/viewform

Northern Heart Films

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