The Initiative’s Growth and Expansion
The northern heart doc fund, initially launched in 2022, has undergone significant growth and expansion. The bursary fund, which aims to support emerging filmmakers from working-class backgrounds, has attracted the backing of prominent industry partners, including Wigan-based indie Northern heart films.
- Wigan Council
- Creative Lancashire
- Sheffield DocFest
- Sticks & Glass (Leeds-based post house)
- Olympic Studios
- Film in Mind (mental well-being organisation)
- Waël Kabbani (The End) from Iambic Dream Films
These industry partners have contributed financially and in-kind to the initiative, enabling it to expand its reach and support an increasing number of emerging filmmakers. As a result, the 2025-26 scheme has been expanded to cover the whole of the north of England, with two successful applicants receiving a £3000 cash grant to support their filmmaking efforts.
Key Features of the Scheme
The Northern heart doc Fund offers a range of benefits to successful applicants, including:
- £3000 cash grant to support filmmaking efforts
- Comprehensive mentoring and post-production support from Sticks & Glass
- Industry pass to Sheffield DocFest ’25
- Well-being support from Film in Mind
- Cinema screenings at Leigh Film Factory in Greater Manchester and Olympic Studios in London
Applicants for the scheme are required to create a short film around the theme of climate and class, with those shortlisted then being invited to pitch their project at the LA1 Shorts Film Festival at The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster in June.
The Importance of Representation and Inclusion
Natasha Hawthornthwaite, co-founder of Northern Heart Films, highlights the importance of representation and inclusion in the documentary sector. “I come from a Northern working-class background and found it a massive struggle to get my foot in the door. Despite a lot of noise in the sector about diversity and inclusion measures, it feels like the working class is still a very much overlooked – or forgotten about – minority in TV, especially off-screen. And we are desperate to change that.”
Hawthornthwaite emphasizes the need for visionaries of all ages and backgrounds to have equal opportunities to share their original stories with authentic voices. She notes that there is a significant appetite for the Fund and the accompanying mentoring support, and that the initiative is uniquely positioned to address the specific needs of emerging documentary makers.
Climate Change and Class
The Northern Heart Doc Fund has introduced a new theme for its applicants, Climate & Class. Hawthornthwaite explains the reasoning behind this choice:
“We have introduced Climate & Class as the theme for this year’s applicants as voices from privileged backgrounds have frequently hijacked climate change narratives. It has never been more vital to hear from working-class communities directly affected by these issues.”
By focusing on this theme, the initiative aims to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and provide a platform for authentic storytelling.
Success Stories
Northern Heart Films has had success with its own projects, including Joy Uncensored for Channel 4 and Homecoming, a film featuring Richard Ashcroft (The Verve).
“…We are also excited to be profiling the power of documentary shorts: not only are they a brilliant way to learn our craft and tell important stories but with increasing opportunities on digital platforms, there has also never been more demand or places to get them seen.”
– Natasha Hawthornthwaite, Co-founder of Northern Heart Films
The expansion of the Northern Heart Doc Fund is a significant development in the documentary sector, and its focus on representation and inclusion will undoubtedly have a positive impact on emerging filmmakers from working-class backgrounds. By providing comprehensive support and resources, the initiative is helping to create a more inclusive and diverse industry.