News

The Search for the hottest new screen talent of the future has begun!

The festival is now open for entries for short films by early career filmmakers to screen as part of NLFF 2008. For details on how the festival is accepting films internationally, and awarding a cash prize of £1,000 at the end of it, please click here.
Posted 1 August 2008

The Festival is getting bigger, and so is the Festival Team!

For details on the opportunity to work as Festival Assistant on NLFF 2008, please click here.
Posted 22 July 2008

Thank you to everyone who took part in making NLFF 2007 a huge success; the volunteers, partners, funders, sponsors, supporters, and of course everyone who came!

Over 2,000 people attended the festival weekend, details of which have now been archived on this site. The 6th Northern Lights looks set to return at the end of this year, complete with a new Artistic Director (could this be you?), the Big Pitch competition which was launched at NLFF 2007, and the latest short films from this years Northern Stars Young Persons’ Film Academy which kicked off at the beginning of this month. For further details on recruitment, The Big Pitch and Northern Stars, please follow the links above.
Posted 1 February 2008

Since 2003, Northern Lights Film Festival has grown year-on-year into one of the UK’s best-loved film events.

Each year we have brought the most exciting new films made across northern Europe to the UK and given audiences the chance to meet many of the filmmakers and producers who have created them.

We’ve also made it our mission to encourage new talent by making films, from multi-award winning professional shorts to the awarding of NLFF’s very own production prizes.

This year, with our main venue at Tyneside Cinema currently in its temporary single-screen home in Gateshead, we’ve taken the opportunity to change the format. NLFF 2007 is a springboard for a very exciting future and we’ve crafted a festival that celebrates the past, keeps pace with the present and looks ahead to the future in one action-packed weekend!

Enjoy the show!
Posted 6 November 2007

NLFF into 2007

NLFF 2006 was a rip-roaring success with nearly 4000 people attending over 80 screenings and 10 special events. Festival highlights included Addictive TV’s performance of Jack’s Back (Get Carter Redux), Warm Digits performance at The Cumberland Arms, and many of the films such as London to Brighton, After the Wedding and Esma’s Secret.

The NLFF team have recharged themselves and are now planning a mind-blowing programme for 2007. The winner of the Orange North Star Short Film Award 2006, Harry Wootliff, is currently working on the script for TRIP (the award winning idea), which will be shot and produced during the summer, to premiere at NLFF 2007. Harry is an exciting, up-and-coming filmmaker who recently finished the short NITS.

So watch this space and please have a look at a few of the photos from the 2006 festival, which can be viewed at here.
Posted 15 March 2007

NLFF 2006 programme is online...now!

The 2006 Nothern Lights Film Festival programme is online now! We’ve got new feature films from all across Europe, short films by emerging talent, a plethora of punk, a snort of Reel Life, and a sprinkle - not literally - of Moomin. There’s also some Swedish porn! Take a peek, you know you want to.
Posted 25 October 2006

NLFF 2006 is going to be bigger and better than ever!

The programme features a Punk retrospective, starring Don Letts and John Robb, an artist retrospective into the work of pioneering animator Norman McLaren, a revival of the Moomins, the inaugural film Summit, as well as some huge special events and parties, featuring the likes of DVJ collective Addictive TV. The full programme will be announced in early October, so be sure to check back regularly for full details!
Posted 21 September 2006

Orange North Star Film Award - call for entries!

The Orange North Star Short Film Award is the best-resourced short film production prize in the UK. The winner will be assisted professionally and financially to make a short film to be shot either on film or digital and with a budget of £40,000 in financial support and donated professional services.

The Award is designed for experienced filmmakers resident in the UK who have yet to make their first feature film. Only those who have made either two short films or one factual/drama television programmes of at least 30 minutes duration are eligible to apply. For full details, requirements and an application form, please visit the Orange North Star Film Award page.
Posted 15 September 2006

Become a Northern Lights Volunteer - we need you!

Each year we recruit lots of volunteers to help make NLFF a success. In return you will be involved with one of the nations leading film festivals and film summit and will gain invaluable experience, contacts and industry knowledge directly from the professionals

Not only will being a volunteer of the festival look great on your C.V., but you will also meet like minded people, have the chance to see NLFF films, attend the festival events and summit talks, have access to V.I.P. NLFF events and be kitted out in exclusive festival merchandise. We can even write you a reference to add to your professional portfolio, for whatever sector you may be interested in pursuing a career in. For further information and an application form, please visit the Jobs page.
Posted 15 September 2006

Amanda Boyle becomes the latest NLFF patron

Following in the esteemed footsteps of Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Boyle has honoured us by becoming our patron. Amanda frequently lectures on script development and film production and has held a number of advisory positions.

She has been a mentor for Channel 4’s Ideas Factory, a board member of First Light (a digital film funding body supported by £1 million of lottery money), a judge for 4 minute wonders (a monthly Channel 4 and Scottish Screen’s Internet competition for music videos) and a film consultant on the weekly Internet magazine, Kultureflash. She is part of the Rocliffe New Writing Forum and directs new work at their bi-monthly readings. She was also named a “Star of Tomorrow” in Screen International’s 2005 review of British film talent.
Posted 15 September 2006

Black Dog wraps. Word up!

After a successful five day shoot in August, Ian Fenton’s film Black Dog wrapped. He’s now taking a well deserved short break before heading into the editing suite. Ian is the winner of the 2005 North Star film prize and Black Dog will be screened at Northern Lights Film Festival 2006, this coming November. The competition for this year’s Orange North Star Film Award is now open for entries.
Posted 30 August 2006

Have we got old news for you?

Yes! News articles from the 2005 NLFF have now been archived.
Posted 16 April 2006