An inclusive space where the creative industries come together to support each other, foster collaboration, fuel innovation, and grow professionally.
Mission
Fuelled by authenticity, our industrial landscape, and the distinctive northern can-do attitude, we aim to redefine creative excellence in the region and stick it to the south by forging robust links between northern visual artists, SMEs, not-for-profits and the educational sector.
Unite and support creatives for growth
Empower northern talent to redefine standards
Offer tailored resources and legal/business aid
Host expert talks, workshops, and spotlights
Develop skills across a range of creative areas
Advocate networking opportunities
What We Don’t
Allow Self-Serving Practices
Passive Engagement
Enforce self-indulgent content
Our aim is to ensure that Square Lens Alliance supports the local creative landscape in achieving its full potential to compete with other regions.
Next event
Thursday 27th November 2025
at The Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough Mills, Halifax
BECOME A MEMBER
Event Agenda
Opening Talk: CalderdaleCreates with Ruth Heritage & Laurie Sansom
To start the evening, we'll be joined by Ruth Heritage and Laurie Sansom from CalderdaleCreates, who will introduce the Directory of Creatives - a growing network of people who live and/or work in Calderdale within the creative sector.
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Guest Speaker: Lewis Levent - Social Impact Documentaries
We're honoured to welcome Lewis Levent, an independent filmmaker and founder of Gez Studio, an international production house telling stories of environmental, cultural and social transformation.
Lewis has spent the last five years living nomadically across the globe, documenting stories that explore resilience, justice and regeneration. His work focuses on systemic solutions to global challenges and how storytelling can spark change.
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Film Screening: 'Empower'
Lewis' latest documentary, Empower, follows an indigenous artisan collective across the eight Northeastern states of India as they weave peace silk, building resilience and independence in communities affected by human trafficking.
This intimate and beautifully shot piece captures the power of creativity and community to drive change.
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Q&A with Lewis Levent
Following the screening, Lewis will take part in a live Q&A session, giving you the chance to ask about his filmmaking process, global experiences and how social impact storytelling can shape the future of media.
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Networking & Community Building
Throughout the evening, enjoy refreshments and the chance to meet fellow creatives, share ideas, and discover new collaborators.
Next Projection
Lewis' latest documentary, Empower, follows an indigenous artisan collective across the eight Northeastern states of India as they weave peace silk, building resilience and independence in communities affected by human trafficking.
Guest Speaker
In this session, Lewis will share:
His journey into documentary filmmaking
How to find and fund social impact projects
Insights into building an authentic voice as a filmmaker
Member Spotlight
Critique night - Constructive Feedback - members share 1-2 min piece and received nice and constructive feedback ready to uplift their skills. (Coming soon)
Engagement Opportunities & Collaborative Projects
Creative workshops, practical skills-building, networking events, and collaboration on projects while also helping in easing the crewing for any art-related projects.
Professional development
Seminars, training programs, mentoring schemes, and peer-to-peer support for a well-rounded support network.
Advocacy & Resource Sharing
Collective advocacy against issues affecting the creative industry. Empowering our community by sharing and showcasing knowledge, tools, and expertise with others in the community.
Legal and Business Support
Access to legal advice, business resources, and contract templates tailored for creative industries to help with legal and business aspects.
Be a part of things
We’re a friendly bunch. SLA members aren’t just names on a database, we welcome all participants to have their say in steering groups and brainstorming sessions to shape the future of the Alliance and bring your innovative input to the table.
Bimonthly Meetings
Our meetings are held every two months in the relaxed and creative atmosphere of the Copper Auditorium at Square Chapel Arts Centre, located in the heart of Halifax
Members of Square Lens Alliance are passionate about creating visual stories that entertain, inspire, and challenge. We believe in the power of collaborative effort and the magic it brings into existence. Buckle your seatbelts and prepare for a thrilling journey!
Square Lens Alliance strives to ignite the creativity of talented artists, fostering an environment of support and commitment to cinematic excellence.
Living by our vision and values is at the heart of our endeavour. Our goal? To create a collective that celebrates the power of storytelling, the creativity of our members, and the profound impact of visual storytelling.
Meet the visionaries behind Square Lens Alliance.
Our members are dedicated to crafting visual narratives that captivate, motivate, and provoke thought. We kindle the artistic flame and pledge to keep that fire lit. Full stop.
We nurture an atmosphere rooted in support and a quest for visual brilliance whilst building a community that reveres the art of storytelling, celebrates the ingenuity of our members, and recognizes the profound impact of visual narratives.
Meet the trailblazers who laid the foundation for Square Lens Alliance's vision.
DAVE HACKNEY
Filmmaker
ALIXE LOBATO
Creative Director
DERYN CARR
Cinematographer
Dawn Feather
Filmmaker & Lecturer
