Doc North Secures Funding for Working-Class Documentary Filmmakers

Documentary filmmaking organisation Doc North has secured £42,000 of annual funding through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Culture Fund 2026-29 programme, enabling it to expand opportunities for working-class documentary filmmakers across the North.

The GMCA funding will enable Doc North to expand its support for emerging Northern documentary talent, ensuring that people from working-class communities have more opportunities to tell their own stories. 

CEO Natasha Hawthornthwaite commented: “In an industry where only 8% of people are working-class, there’s a real need to create opportunities and increase visibility for regional talent”.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig shared her thoughts: “Shared cultural experiences are powerful opportunities to bring people together, create opportunities and build pride. Doorstep access to everything from theatre to live music, dance to documentary filmmaking, has the power to transform lives and shape communities. The Culture Fund is a key part of my commitment to putting things to do at the heart of our towns.”

Doc North is already delivering a range of initiatives across Greater Manchester. 

The community interest company is partnering with Into Film and Leigh Youth Hub this October half term to run a documentary boot camp for 16-19 year olds, and they’ll be working with HOME and the BFI Film Academy on a screening in December. 

As part of their Northern Doc Fund, the organisation recently pledged to support two new filmmakers during a live pitching session at Bolton Film Festival. 

The session was judged by Documentary Film Council CEO and producer Mandy Chang, award-winning documentary filmmaker Kim Hopkins and executive producer Waël Kabbani.

The pitch was followed by a networking social, attended by BAFTA nominated Actress Maxine Peake and Green Party MP Hannah Spencer. 

Both spoke on the importance of the Northern Doc Fund.

Maxine Peake commented: "We need more people from working-class backgrounds in the business being funded and being supported." 

Hannah Spencer added: "It's absolutely amazing that Doc North are giving opportunities to working-class people”.

Speaking on the importance of securing local funding for filmmakers whose work can go on to reach global audiences, Operations Director, Scott Bradley commented: 

“Many of our Northern Doc Fund alumni have screened their work as far as New York. Doc North is proud to be able to support and develop Northern documentary filmmakers from working-class backgrounds to go on to share their stories further afield.”

Neil Harris, Business Manager for Culture, Arts & Heritage at Wigan Council summarised:

“We are delighted to support Doc North CIC and its ambition to create opportunities for working-class filmmakers across Greater Manchester. By investing in local talent, skills development and authentic storytelling, the organisation will help ensure that more people can access careers in the creative industries and that the stories of our communities are seen and heard. This is exactly the kind of cultural activity that strengthens places, creates opportunity and showcases the rich talent that exists across Wigan and the wider city-region.”

About Doc North

Doc North was set up by the founders of Northern Heart Films, Natasha Hawthornthwaite and Scott Bradley. 

As a not for profit company, Doc North is solely dedicated to empowering working‑class documentary filmmakers and amplifying northern stories through funding, networking and workshops.

Media Enquiries:

carla@docnorth.org.uk

Carla Mellor, Communications Director