Photographer and filmmaker Juliet Klottrup joined us on the Darklight Pro platform for a brilliant Member-Led Huddle, diving into how to fund personal work and why it matters.

She shared clear and practical insight into how she brings self-initiated projects to life, from applying for grants to balancing client work. She spoke openly about the value of carving out creative space and staying connected to what drives you.

Juliet’s work captures overlooked communities across the rural North, blending photography and film to explore themes of identity, place and belonging. Her talk sparked plenty of questions around how to actually get started and make it work.

We followed up with three quick questions to go further.

Skate Like a Lass documents grassroots skate communities in Northern England, creating space in skateboarding for female, marginalized and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

This project was part funded by Arts Council England which supported me to research this work over a period of time whilst shooting the stills. The project then expanded into a film, collaborative photo series and zine, and inviting participants to document their skate communities through self-directed photography and DIY image-making.

Be clear about what the project is, why you’re making it, and why it matters right now. It helps to share any reference points or early work-in-progress — something that shows the project has momentum and you’re serious about seeing it through. Not giving up – good work takes time and the amount of funding rejections still doesn’t deter me! 

My practice has grown into a modern archive of Northern life, shaped by passion projects like Youth of the Rural North (Winner of Portrait of Britain, British Journal of Photography), Travelling Home (Winner of the Sony Future Filmmaker Prize), and Skate Like a Lass (Winner of the Skateboard GB British Culture Photographic Award). These film and photographic series have received both national and international recognition, with partial funding helping to bring them to life. Developing these projects has been key to refining my craft, deepening my storytelling, and opening up more opportunities to secure funded work

We want to highlight Juliet’s incredible work and congratulate her on being named Winner of the Sony Future Filmmakers Awards 2025 for Non-Fiction.

This recognition in LA celebrates her talent and dedication to documentary filmmaking.

You can read more about her achievement here:
Hollywood Reporter
Variety
BBC

@julietklottrup

julietklottrup.com