People behind the story.

This summer we staged our first stills shoot for Sweetheart, a historical short film inspired by real events in Nidderdale. It was our very first step in bringing the story of Mary-Jane Skaife to life on screen.

Erin & Angus

The shoot gave us a chance to explore the visual world of the film, test costume and styling, and capture some powerful images to share as we develop the project. We worked with a small but brilliant team:

• Actress Erin Hatfield

• Photographer Angus Chau

• Production Assistant Chloe Alexandra

Chloe Alexandra

Even the local wildlife joined in, a herd of curious cows made sure we had an audience.

With the first images now in hand, we’re looking ahead. Filming for Sweetheart is planned for autumn 2027, and over the next two years we’ll be building the cast and crew who will help bring this story to the screen.

Erin & Friends

At this early stage, we’re keen to hear from anyone who might like to be part of the journey. We’ll be casting for:

• Two principal roles

• Two supporting roles

• Extras for a chapel sequence

And we’ll also be assembling our crew across departments: camera, sound, costume, locations, and more.

Sweetheart is a powerful story rooted in Yorkshire history and folklore, but it also speaks to today. At its heart, it raises awareness of women’s voices: voices too often silenced in the past, and still fighting to be heard in the present. By telling Mary-Jane’s story, we hope to share, to educate, and to spark conversations that matter now more than ever. If you would like to help us achieve this, get in touch and become part of Mary’s legacy.

 mark@niddfilms.com