Northern Ireland Now: Phase 2
The second phase of the Northern Ireland Now Contemporary Collecting 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.
The second phase of this project focused on 'Belfast Stories on Screen' in order to collect and connect diverse perspectives across the city. These partnerships include Kalakeli, Black Moon, Newington Day Centre, Include Youth, Bridge of Hope with the Ashton Centre and Ligoniel Arts, Bridge NI, Diverse Youth, Migrant Centre NI, Young at Art, Open Arts NI, John Paul II Youth Club, Legacy Projects Eastside Partnership, Quire and Our Social Space. 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 the second phase collection of Northern Ireland Now, an evolving and inclusive record of our shared history shaped by the voices of those who live it.