Overcoming Barriers in Film
Finding pathways without privilege
Join us for our first event of 2026 at Colony Spring Gardens!
We are thrilled to welcome our special guest speaker Natasha Hawthornthwaite, director of Finding ‘Appiness and founder of Northern Heart Films.
In this session, Natasha will reflect on her journey as a filmmaker, exploring the process of making Finding ‘Appiness and how coming out has shaped her creative practice. The conversation will then move into her work uplifting and championing working-class filmmakers (alongside Scott Bradley) through Northern Heart Films - including the Northern Heart Doc Fund and their new social enterprise, Doc North CIC - with a particular focus on how these initiatives create pathways, training opportunities, and skills development for below-the-line crew across the North.
This will be followed by a networking session where QFN members can spend time getting to know each other :)
Event Details
🗓 Date: Wednesday 28th January 2026
⏰ Timings:
6:00pm - 🛬 Arrival and check-in
6:30pm - 🎬 Screening of Finding ‘Appiness + Q&A moderated by QFN
7:30pm - 8:30pm - 🤝 Networking drinks
📍 Location: Colony Spring Gardens, 19 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 1FB
This workshop is made possible through the generous support of our the British Film Commission, the QFN is very grateful for their ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion within the UK screen industries.
About Natasha Hawthornthwaite:
Natasha is an Award-Winning Lesbian Director, Producer, Founder of Northern Heart Films supported by the BBC Small Indie Fund and Doc North CIC which provides opportunities for working-class documentary makers.
Credits include ‘Edge of Existence’ with Academy Award® winning Slick Films, ‘Finding ‘Appiness’ supported by Doc Society and ‘Joy Uncensored.’ Natasha specialises in documentaries, her work also spans across commercials and short films. Natasha brings compassion, honesty and humour with an ambition to tell stories that champion working-class lives in the North of England that resonate with worldwide audiences.
Natasha is also a mentor for Creative UK and shares her expertise as a regular guest speaker at colleges and universities. Natasha is also a Future Leader at the Northern Power Women Awards, and won the ‘Manchester Young Talent Awards’ in 2024.