Since July 2025, our Young Programmers have been diving deep into the industry - learning everything from how film festivals run, to the art of curating a powerful screening. Through workshops, collaboration, and plenty of big ideas, they’re crafting a bold, original short film programme for our Northern Exposure film night that celebrates the region’s most exciting new talent.

Their handpicked selections will be coming to a cinema and festival near you soon, but in the meantime let's meet our talented curators...

Laura has an MA in Film and Media, and a passion for all things film. She currently works as a freelancer across film and literature festivals in the UK. Working with the Bradford International Film Festival in the planning stages, Laura has an enthusiasm for film curation which she is excited to bring to the Young Programmers team.

Outside of their day job, Isaac produces New Genesis, a student film festival in Brighton. He has worked with Sheffield’s Showroom as a Young Programmer and loves to create and watch short films. Isaac is thrilled to be a part of Northern Exposure Young Programmers and can’t wait to work with the team.

After recently completing a Masters in Film Studies at the University of Leeds, Niall aspires to become a film critic and essayist in both written and video formats. He currently runs the Leeds-based film club Tortoise Cinema which specialises in screening slow cinema from around the world, and looks forward to learning more about film exhibition and curation.

Keira is a 21 year old film graduate hoping to bring original and individual voices into the North’s cultural sphere through programming and film festival curation. She is hoping this opportunity will expand her knowledge of the cultural and creative industries, so she can better learn how to make changes that provide representation and self expression for all.

Nadeem is a musician, filmmaker and all-round creative with a deep interest in culture and storytelling. He writes screenplays and develops original ideas that explore identity, humour, and the human condition.

Jannat is a British-Pakistani film programmer, critic and culture writer based in Yorkshire. With a vested interest in spotlighting South Asian talent, she believes in uplifting the underrepresented and expanding cinema to communities often closed-off from the big screen. She’s curated for the BFI, programmed for Showroom Cinema, spoken on BBC Asian Network, and written for Dazed, A Rabbit’s Foot, Polyester Zine, Movie Marker, The People’s Movies, Cinerama and more.

Adriana is a recent Film Studies MA graduate, aspiring programmer and film essayist. She currently runs DIY film club Bitch&Moan based in Leeds. Hailing from immigrant parents and a mixed cultural background, she is incredibly passionate about films centring women of colour and migrant representation on screen. She is excited to contribute her knowledge of these themes as a Young Programmer.



Northern Exposure Young Film Programmers is part of our BFI Film Academy programme for young film fans. BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries.