Northern Ireland Now
A collection of films from the Northern Ireland Now project
Northern Ireland Now: Contemporary Collecting is a pioneering outreach and digitisation project led by Northern Ireland Screen and Nerve Centre designed to expand and diversify representation within the Digital Film Archive, a vast collection of moving image footage spanning from 1887 to the present day.
This initiative is rooted in the belief that Northern Ireland’s history should be told by all who have lived it. By working directly with communities, Northern Ireland Now seeks to amplify voices that have historically been underrepresented including ethnic minorities, disabled and neurodivergent individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, those of diverse religious beliefs and working-class groups particularly young men. The project aims to rebalance the archive ensuring that it reflects the full richness and complexity of life in Northern Ireland past and present.
This project was completed in collaboration with a diverse range of community groups across Northern Ireland each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences. These include Hilltown Community Association, ImageNation NI, Anaka Women’s Collective, Selkies, SPUDS, Bluebell Lane, Yallaa, Moneydarragh Hub, the Wall2Wall Group, the LGBTQIA+ History Group, Express Yourself Social Café and creative media students from the Nerve Centre in Derry. Through filmmaking, storytelling and archival exploration, participants have contributed to a growing collection that highlights their communities, cultures and histories.
The Digital Film Archive is proud to present Northern Ireland Now, an evolving and inclusive record of our shared history shaped by the voices of those who live it.