Our Team

Northern Silents is made up of a small group of enthusiastic freelancers who work together to bring our unique cinematic experiences to audiences across the North.

Jonny is a musician, researcher, producer, and the founding artistic director of Northern Silents (previously Yorkshire Silent Film Festival). As a pianist, he specialises in improvisation and silent film accompaniment, working solo and with a variety of collaborators.

Jonny Best, artistic director
Olivia manages marketing and communications activity for Northern Silents. She has over 25 years’ experience in agency and arts environments, and now focuses on helping UK arts organisations promote their festivals, events and work to a wide range of audiences.

Olivia Kehoe, marketing director
Symon is frequently spotted as a blur rushing around behind the scenes, programming, subtitling and editing the digital screenings, setting up the venues and projecting the films. As the technical guy, he makes sure everything you see looks the best it can.

Symon Payne, technical manager

Claire Bowdler, trustee
Porl Cooper, trustee
Rosa Freedman, trustee

Our Team

Jonny is a musician, researcher, producer, and the founding artistic director of Northern Silents (previously Yorkshire Silent Film Festival). As a pianist, he specialises in improvisation and silent film accompaniment, working solo and with a variety of collaborators.

Olivia manages marketing and communications activity for Northern Silents. She has over 25 years’ experience in agency and arts environments, and now focuses on helping UK arts organisations promote their festivals, events and work to a wide range of audiences.

Symon is frequently spotted as a blur rushing around behind the scenes, programming, subtitling and editing the digital screenings, setting up the venues and projecting the films. As the technical guy, he makes sure everything you see looks the best it can.

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