All of the featured films have been selected by a group of young Northern film curators who have scoured the region to uncover stories that resonate with them and champion emerging local filmmakers. Expect a bold mix of fact and fiction, animation and live action – and everything in between.
Following the hour-long programme of shorts, there will be a Q&A featuring the filmmakers and hosted by Film Hub North’s Young Programmers.
Film line-up:
Meat Raffle
Dir. Stuart Armstrong / 2025 / Comedy
Cumbria, 1998. Terrified he’s turned his son queer, closeted dad Rich plots to rig his local pub’s Christmas turkey draw to prove what it means to be a real man.
Read our Young Programmers’ interview with Stuart here.
Matchmaker
Dir. Gina Hutchinson & Angus Woodward / 2024 / Sci Fi
A woman desperately searching for love goes on a date with her AI device.
Captive
Dir. Ben Gibson / 2025 / Documentary
Through a blend of interviews, archival footage, and cinematic B-roll, Captive examines the ethical implications of removing orcas from their natural environments.
Coal
Dir. Sel MacLean / 2025 / Dance
A short film weaving contemporary dance and archival imagery to explore coal extraction in the North East. Blending motion and memory, it reflects on the region’s identity, rooted in the physicality of labour and its deep connection to the land.
Out of Service
Dir. Anita Pandolfo / 2025 / Comedy
Ageing Hilary, her non-binary grandchild Sydney, and their mother Karen are brought together in solidarity when Hilary stages a one-woman protest objecting the cancellation of the essential, village bus.
Kitty and Her Accordion
Dir. Roz Di Caprio / 2024 / Documentary
A poignant short documentary that delves into the life of Kitty, a working-class mum in 1950s Liverpool, who was constrained by societal expectations that stifled her dreams of becoming a musician.
Northern Exposure is delivered by Film Hub North as part of BFI Film Academy. BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries.
This event is supported by BFI Film Academy, awarding National Lottery funding.
Image credit © still from Captive (dir. Ben Gibson)