About

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

More than a century ago, a new technology swept the world, changing societies and giving birth to a new art form - the cinema. Without synchronised sound, silent moving images usually unfolded with musical accompaniment - maybe a pianist or organist, a trio or small ensemble, sometimes an orchestra. A film could travel the world, bringing the same visual experience to every audience - but the music was local and live. 

Northern Silents pairs silent-era cinema with new music. Jazz and folk, experimental musicians, specialist silent film players, classical artists, brass bands, ensembles and orchestras - all contribute to Northern Silents’ programme. 

Find out more about how we work with music

Northern Silents presents a year-round programme and two festivals; Northern Silent Film Festival across the north and 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.