'Echoes of the North: Four Chapters in Time', the evocative silent film accompanied by an original brass band score performed by Brighouse & Rastrick, has been shortlisted for a prestigious FOCAL International Award.

The 20th FOCAL International Awards celebrate the very best use of archival footage across the creative and cultural industries, with categories for use in advertising or branded content, arts & entertainment production, cinematic features, music production and more.

Nominees in various categories include the BBC, National Geographic, Harpo Productions and Showtime who amongst others produced material used in films and features on the likes of Janet Jackson, Elizabeth II, Chernobyl and Andy Warhol.

Echoes of the North

'Echoes of the North: Four Chapters in Time' is nominated in the 'Best Use of Footage in a History Production' category alongside features on the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the iconic French trans-Atlantic liner Normandie and the Three Mile Island nuclear leak crisis.

The production brought together hundreds of hours of archive film from the 1890s to 1920s in four distinctive 'impressionistic' liner chapters: 'Rebuild' following the First World War; 'Recharge' and the human desire to escape industry and enjoy nature; 'Remembrance' — and the recall of the war time sacrifices made, and 'Rejoice' — as people enjoy culture and the hope of better things to come.

Critically acclaimed

The score was written by composer and presenter Neil Brand, whose works included the critically acclaimed BBC Four series 'The Sound of Musicals' and 'The Sound of TV'.

The film which was commissioned with help from the PRS Foundation Open Fund and Arts Council England was given its world premiere at the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival at Morecambe Winter Gardens in November 2022, conducted by Ben Palmer.

In making the nominations this year FOCAL stated: "We also acknowledge the best examples of archive restoration and preservation practice as well as the people and companies that make up the industry and without whose hard work and vision none of this would be possible."

A massive thank you to composer Neil Brand and conductor Ben Palmer: This was an amazing project to be a part of, and one we are very proud of indeed!Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Incredibly happy

Meanwhile, the band responded by saying: "We are incredibly happy to announce that the film has been nominated for a FOCAL Award.

A massive thank you to composer Neil Brand and conductor Ben Palmer: This was an amazing project to be a part of, and one we are very proud of indeed!"

In his response to the news, Neil Brand wrote on his Facebook page: "Very thrilled indeed to announce that Echoes of the North has been nominated for a FOCAL Award. Bravo to Jonny Best, Graham Relton, Andy Burns, Geoff Senior and Bob Geoghan, as well as Ben Palmer and the fabulous Brighouse & Rastrick Band for superb performances."

The 2023 Awards Gala Evening will be held at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Thursday 15th June.

Trailer

A trailer for the film can be enjoyed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS9G7q6nS7M