What is the exhibition?
Stories in Motion is a curated exhibition celebrating the culture, community, and stories of Kirklees through film. It will showcase works that highlight how people, communities, and organisations are creating cultural change across the district.
This exhibition marks the beginning of an ongoing conversation about cultural development in Kirklees. It is part of Cultures of Film, a wider, collaborative project between cultural and creative partners from Kirklees and the Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture at University of Huddersfield. Through this exhibition, communities across Kirklees are invited to actively shape cultural decision-making in the district, contributing to the ambitions of Kirklees’s future Cultural Strategy.
We invite communities across Kirklees to shape cultural decision-making in the district. Our first phase will explore how film can document and inspire cultural change. The second phase of this project will see new works commissioned, please follow @Culturesof_ on Instagram or join or mailing list for further information: culturesof
Stories in Motion is co-produced in partnership with the Creative Health Hub, Culture Collective, hoot, KLTV, Kirklees Council, Kirklees Museums and Galleries, Kirklees Libraries, Proper Job Theatre Company, S2R, The Children’s Art School, Thread Republic, University of Huddersfield, We Are Local, WYPW, and a group of local freelance cultural/creative professionals.
Where is the exhibition?
The exhibition will be held at Sovereign Design House, Queen Street, University of Huddersfield from 26 January 2026 to 01 May 2026.
What can I submit?
We invite:
- Films of any length, style, or era, from homemade videos, to professional productions, to community-led projects.
- There may be an opportunity to also exhibit related objects or printed material linked to your film.
Submissions should connect to one or more themes:
- Learning – How are people engaging in learning through cultural activity?
- Health and Wellbeing – How does creative and cultural activity support healthier, happier lives?
- Heritage – How do diverse voices shape heritage narratives and spaces?
Who is it for?
The call is open to anyone with a story to share about Kirklees—filmmakers, community groups, cultural organisations, and individuals. We especially welcome voices that are often overlooked or underrepresented, past or present.
Is there a fee to contribute?
There is no fee to contribute.
What costs will be covered?
Costs of printing and exhibition materials will be covered.
Who will come?
The exhibition will form part of the Kirklees Cultural Strategy public consultation engagement plan, therefore intends to attract the following audiences:
- Local communities
- Cultural and creative practitioners
- Researchers and students
- Policymakers and local council officers
For further enquiries, please contact: culturesof@hud.ac.uk
