By working with Northern Heart you are helping us support the next generation of filmmakers.

We are proud to announce the three winners of our scheme, the Northern Heart Doc Fund.’

The winners are Olivia Hird, Roz Di Caprio and Maria Luc.

Over the next six months these emerging filmmakers will have the chance to make their first fully supported short documentary with the help of our talented team at Northern Heart and the kindness of our partners.

New to 2024 we have decided to award three honorary awards for runners up who showed real dedication in unearthing working class stories.?

These are, Qasim Abdullah, Anton Arenko and Roisin Hanely.?

Each will receive a 1 to 1 mentoring session with us and an opportunity to attend masterclasses to help them grow.

You can read more about the filmmakers and their projects here: www.northernheartfilms.com/docfund

The ‘Northern Heart Doc Fund’ is a scheme we have built from the ground up to support new filmmakers in the North West.?

Northern Heart is headed up by award-winning Documentary Filmmaker and commercials Director Natasha Hawthornthwaite and award-winning filmmaker and Creative Producer, Scott Bradley.?

Together, with their talented team, they craft beautiful, heart-warming commercials, branded content and even develop original documentaries for broadcasters.

In 2024 Northern Heart was awarded the BBC Small Indie Fund where we’ll receive funding and support from the broadcaster to help support the growth of the company.

Co-Founder of Northern Heart, Natasha says: “I just don’t believe there’s enough funding and support for documentary filmmakers in general. I love being a northern filmmaker and want to champion the rich stories we have here.?

This scheme is deep rooted in the Northern Heart approach. What makes it even more unique is that it’s been built from our own experiences as working class filmmakers. We’re not tied by any funding body, we run this our own way so we’re flexible and offer a real person - centred alternative to talent schemes.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been on a few talent schemes and have seen from myself what has and hasn’t worked. I feel we’re building something really special and the filmmakers from last year have gone on to achieve great things. I’d encourage anyone who is keen to support this scheme to reach out as we’re currently discussing ways on growing it year on year.”

Part of Northern Heart’s ethos since setting up in 2014 was to champion northern stories and working class voices.?

In 2021 Scott and Natasha felt they had enough connections and experience to be able to create a bespoke scheme to help others grow as confident documentary makers.

The scheme provides funding, mentoring, post-production support, a cinema premiere to showcase their work to industry and entry to a world-leading documentary film festival.

The scheme has so far managed to bring together partners including Wigan Council , Sheffield DocFest, Creative Lancashire, Sticks & Glass , Olympic Studios and Leigh Film Factory.?

ABOUT NORTHERN HEART

Northern Heart are award-winning storytellers and documentary filmmakers, championing inspirational stories and authentic voices.?

They work with charities, NGO’s and purpose-led brands to create compassionate, authentic stories that inspire emotional change.?

Their stories have inspired meaningful changes in audiences worldwide and sparked significant impact for a host of brilliant charities and purpose-led brands.?

They have won numerous awards for their work which has made it as far as international film festivals and even the Houses of Parliament.?

All from their friendly base in the north-west of England.

CONTACT

Main: [email protected] / +44 7746310311

Secondary: [email protected] / +44 7548436678