About

Northern Silents fuses new music with film to create inspiring live events

At the dawn of the twentieth century, moving image technology swept the world and the cinema was born. From the first moving picture shows in the 1890s, until half way through 1929, films were made without synchronised sound - the actors voices went unheard, there were no sound effects recorded on the film, and no recorded music. But in the cinema, live musical accompaniment was usually performed - often a pianist, or maybe a trio or small ensemble - and sometimes a larger orchestra. A film could travel the world, bringing the same visual experience to every audience, but the music varied from place to place - it was local and live. 

Northern Silents re-imagines this world of silent film and live music, screening silent-era films with brand new music. Jazz and folk, experimental musicians, specialist silent film players, classical artists, brass bands, ensembles and orchestras - all have contributed to Northern Silents’ programme. 

Find out more about how we work with music

Northern Silents presents a spring/summer season, an autumn/winter season, and an annual June festival - Silents by the Sea at Morecambe Winter Gardens. We screen a wide variety of films, working with archives around the world  to bring newly restored and rarely-seen titles to audiences in the UK. Our unique live events take place in cinemas and theatres, music venues and concert halls, heritage buildings and village halls.

See what’s on

Northern Silents was previously known as Yorkshire Silent Film Festival.