Making Bradford Home

Newly commissioned short films sharing stories of migration, memory and family photographs

Location:

Online from 8 November 2026

Making Bradford Home is a series of new short films exploring migration, family and belonging through the eyes of people who have made Bradford home. The films form part of Bradford Family Album, a growing digital archive of personal photographs and stories from communities across the Bradford district.

Impressions Gallery commissioned acclaimed Bradford-based filmmaker Michael McCabe to create the films with people from the district’s Latvian, South Asian, Bangladeshi, Afro-Caribbean and Irish Catholic communities.

Five young people from Impressions’ New Focus: Bradford Young Curators programme also worked on the project as film assistants, gaining valuable hands-on experience for their future creative careers.

Through personal stories, memories and photographs, Making Bradford Home offers an intimate insight into the lives and experiences of Bradford residents as they reflect on their personal journeys of migration and belonging.

The films will be available to watch online at Bradford Family Album from Sunday 8 November 2026.

Making Bradford Home is produced by Impressions Gallery as part of Bradford Family Album archive, an ongoing project originally commissioned for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

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

Made to Fit - Shaheen and Samina's Stories

Shaheen and Samina share photographs that evoke memories of fashion and growing up in Bradford during the 1970s. As first-generation Pakistani women, they reflect on how making their own clothes helped them to navigate two cultures and express their evolving identity.

Never Far From Home: Stories from The Bradford Latvian Club

The Harrisons, Dzerins and Berzins are three Latvian families whose ancestors settled in Bradford in the aftermath of the Second World War. They formed lasting friendships as they grew up together, spending time at The Bradford Latvian Club in Manningham. Three generations on, they continue to keep their Latvian heritage alive through dance, poetry, summer camps and community gatherings.

Planting Roots - Sandra's Story

Sandra Brown shares photographs and memories of her childhood, growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, then journeying to Bradford to build a new life. Sandra found a sense of belonging through Bradford’s vibrant music scene and becoming part of its Caribbean community.

Two Worlds One Street - Rachel and Luna's Story

Rachel and Luna celebrate their lifelong friendship, which began when they were kids living in Mavis Street in Barkerend. Rachel went to a traditional Catholic school, while Luna’s family came from Bangladesh. Thirty years later, they still meet every Sunday on Mavis Street, where Luna now resides with her five children and Rachel’s mum continues to live in the family home.