Northern Heart

It's time to announce one of our worst kept secrets. We are officially in production on a feature documentary following the meteoric rise of the chart topping band The Lottery Winners.





Why The Lottery Winners?



They are simply some of the hardest working, most entertaining musicians in the UK. With two #1 albums already under their belt, they’ve toured with Robbie Williams and collaborated with icons like Nickelback, Boy George, and Frank Turner.



From their working class Northern roots to headlining an emotional homecoming show in Leigh at Leigh Sports Village, performing to a massive crowd of thousands of fans, we'll be there every step of the way!

4 months ago | [YT] | 1

Northern Heart

A huge congratulations to Roz Di Caprio, who has just been named a finalist at this year’s Smiley Charity Film Awards.

After supporting Roz through our Northern Doc Fund, we put her forward to direct a charity commercial via Media Trust, and it’s that film that has landed her on the finalist list.

This result is the product of a long standing partnership we have with Media Trust, and it’s a perfect example of how the model works.

We provide talented graduate directors and back them up with wrap around production support. Media Trust then connects them with charities and handles the distribution.

We aren't here for the optics, we’re here to help get filmmakers into the industry, getting them professional work that is recognised by the largest charity film awards in the country.

This success proves that the Northern Doc Fund creates a direct pipeline from grassroots talent to professional accolades.

This is a huge moment for Roz. She’s put in a real shift on this film, particularly with the edit, and seeing her recognised on this level is exactly why we keep pushing this mission forward.

Please join us in wishing Roz the massive amount of luck she deserves!

#DocNorth #NorthernDocFund #WorkingClassFilm #CharityFilmAwards #NewTalent #MediaTrust #UKFilm

4 months ago | [YT] | 2

Northern Heart

A massive congratulations to the participants of our first ever Doc North '3-Day Documentary Bootcamp'!

Over the weekend, a cohort of young people from Leigh and the wider Wigan Borough accepted the challenge of developing, shooting, and editing three short documentaries under the guidance of talented industry professionals.

While the final editing phase was a bit of a race against the clock, every team successfully exported their films in time for the 4 PM Sunday screening. We were also honored to be joined by some very special guests, Leigh heroes and double #1 album selling pop band, The Lottery Winners, who shared their thoughts and encouragement with the group.

Until this weekend, the borough had never hosted a professional filmmaking bootcamp of this kind. It is an achievement we, and the young people involved, are incredibly proud of and eager to build upon in the future.

So where next?

We've got a successful model ready to take to other working-class towns and communities. Let's start inspiring the next generation of local Northern talent!

A massive thanks to Wigan Council for supporting the Bootcamp.

#TheNorth #Documentary #Film #Bootcamp

4 months ago | [YT] | 2

Northern Heart

Day 1 of our 3 Day Documentary Bootcamp is officially underway!

Last night in Leigh, 13 young filmmakers from across the borough stepped up to the challenge, develop, shoot, and edit a short documentary in just three days.

When we asked if they’d ever seen an opportunity like this in Leigh before, the silence said it all. There’s a clear creative gap here, and it’s brilliant to see Wigan Council partnering with us to help bridge it.

Documentary filmmaking matters because it is raw, authentic, and immediate.

By pairing these participants with professional filmmakers, we're empowering them to find their working-class voice and tell the stories of their communities with genuine passion and pride.

If you're in the area, keep an eye out for our crews across Leigh this weekend.

Big shout out to Lily Freestone, Natasha Hawthornthwaite and Scott Bradley for doing a great job kicking off the bootcamp.

#Documentary #Film #FilmChallenge

4 months ago | [YT] | 4

Northern Heart

Northern Heart, in association with Doc North and London Breeze Film Festival, is proud to present a celebratory screening of the five short documentaries supported by the Northern Doc Fund from 2022–2025.

These films, created by working-class filmmakers from the North of England, will be followed by a Q&A moderated by London Breeze Film Festival.

Event Details:

When: 1st February, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: The Cinema at Selfridges (supported by Olympic Studios)

Tickets: www.ticketsource.com/doc-north/real-north-northern…

All profits and ‘pay it forward’ contributions will go directly to Doc North, a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting working-class filmmakers in the North of England.

We hope to see you there to celebrate these incredible stories.

#Documentary #WorkingClass #FilmFunding #FilmScreening

5 months ago | [YT] | 0

Northern Heart

We've just launched our suicide awareness poetry film this morning. It's been a wonderful collaboration with Wigan based poet John Gavaghan.

Striking right to the heart of the complex and often unspoken issue of suicide and mental health, the film is a deeply personal expression of despair, hope, and the light that persists even in the darkest moments. It's a vital reminder that reaching out is a sign of strength and that no one should have to struggle alone.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please know that help is available right now:

Empathy North West CIC

Crisis Line: 0303 303 1333

Samaritans (UK-wide)

Free Call: 116 123

#MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #PoetryFilm #SpokenWord #JohnGavaghan #NorthernHeartFilms #ToughTopic #Depression #Wigan #ShortFilm #UKPoetry

6 months ago | [YT] | 4

Northern Heart

"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

#FilmFund #NewTalent #Documentary #TheNorth

8 months ago | [YT] | 0

Northern Heart

"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 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 its 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

#NewTalent #Documentary #TheNorth #FilmFund

8 months ago | [YT] | 0

Northern Heart

"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

8 months ago | [YT] | 1

Northern Heart

"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 its 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 Film Festival (Steve Fairclough), performing an 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 its recipients to its 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

#ProperStorytellers

8 months ago | [YT] | 0