Specially commissioned short films to celebrate people who have made Bradford their home.

Building on the successful launch of the Bradford Family Album digital archive in 2025, we are delighted to be 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 to Bradford Family Album 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 Jamshad Sehgal and Shaheen Hafeez  from the Khidmat Centre in Great Horton; Sandra Brown from the African Caribbean Wellbeing Café in Manningham; and Rita Harrison, Ingrid Dzerins, Rainis Berzins and Dzintra Grinsberg 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 the autumn of 2026, with further details to be announced this summer. 

Jennifer Sobol, Senior Creative Producer (Learning) from Impressions Gallery, says “Photographs play a crucial part in family memory and social history. We’re delighted to commission these new films, which support Impressions’ belief in co-authorship with our communities, and to continue to support creative talent in the Bradford district.”

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