Coming soon: specially commissioned short films celebrating people who have made Bradford their home.

Building on the successful launch of the Bradford Family Album digital archive in 2025, we are pleased to announce that we are working with acclaimed Bradford-based documentary filmmaker Michael McCabe on a new series of short films. The films will celebrate the photographs and stories shared by some of the people who have contributed the archive so far.

Bradford Family Album is a nationally important archive bringing together a unique collection of family photographs and personal stories from communities across the Bradford district. Produced by Impressions Gallery and Bradford Young Curators as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, this ongoing project celebrates the people, communities and histories that have shaped the city today.

The short films will bring personal histories to life by weaving together photos and interviews to uncover the powerful memories behind the images. The films will amplify the voices of individuals and community groups who contributed to the project. These include  Shaheen Hafeez  from the Khidmat Centre in Great Horton; Sandra Brown from the African Caribbean Wellbeing Café in Manningham; and Rita Harrison and family, Ingrid Dzerins and family and Rainis Berzins from the Latvian Welfare Fund & Club

Five film assistants from Bradford have been recruited to work with filmmaker Michael McCabe on the productions, all alumni of Impressions’ New Focus Bradford Young Curators programme. Impressions are delighted to welcome back Amina Ahmed, Zarah Ashraf, Louie Haslam-Chance, Keyhan Modaressi, and Lauren Waldron as they continue to develop their professional careers in the creative industries.

The films will premiere at a special screening event in Bradford in November and will be available to view online shortly after.

Bradford Family Album is curated and produced by Impressions Gallery and New Focus: Bradford Young Curators. Commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

Image top: Inara Harrison shares family photographs featuring members of Bradford’s Latvian Community © Faye Hatton