Culture & Arts
Organisers of next summer’s first-ever Gateshead International Film Festival (GIFF) say North East creators and regional productions can submit their work free of charge. The inaugural GIFF is spearheaded by North Eastern filmmakers Steve Wraith and Neil Jackson, who are co-directors of the event alongside Portuguese writer and director Catarina De Cèzanne (pictured below). […]
It was Oscar Wilde that once said, “All art is quite useless,” in his preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray. That statement is either one of the cleverest sentences that anyone has ever said about art, or the sort of statement which becomes clever chiefly because it was Oscar Wilde that said it. Had […]
Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 2026 big-budget Digger is not afraid to criticise American society. Beneath its dark comedy lies a very serious critique of capitalism, trust in authority and modern society. Across the film, Iñárritu uses Digger to present a spiteful critique of the flaws of American life, presenting stereotypes of capitalism in order to […]
Journalism students from the University of Sunderland have been selected to take part in a new industry initiative that takes creative learning out of the classroom. Independent magazine retailer Unique Magazines , who deliver publications around the world, has launched The Creative Talent Programme to support students and build a creative community in the North East. […]
For decades, Sunderland has been known for its industrial heritage – shipbuilding, coal mining and a fierce loyalty to its football club. But in recent years, a new identity has steadily taken shape. Since being officially recognised as a “Music City”, Sunderland has begun to reposition itself as a hub of creativity, collaboration and emerging […]
Planning to stick on a paddy cap and your best green attire this St Patrick’s Day but don’t know where to head? Here are the Sunderland pubs with the best deals and events this year. When is St Patrick’s Day 2026? St Patrick’s Day 2026 is on Tuesday, March 17. Barge and Barrel, SR1 1QB […]
Newcastle-based band, The Pale White, have just announced a UK-wide tour for 2026. The venues span from Edinburgh to London, ending with a final wrap-up in Newcastle. The alt-rock band, currently consisting of brothers Adam and Jack Hope, originated in Wallsend and has been actively gigging since 2016. They have been from success to success […]
November 15 saw the return of the iconic Christmas markets in Newcastle Upon Tyne, with stalls spreading from Grey Street to Old Eldon Square, it brings together local artisans, festive flavours, and a cosy atmosphere. The market is performing extremely well, with Eldon Square reporting a 9% increase in footfall from the previous year – […]
Oxford University Press has named ‘rage bait’ as its 2025 Word of the Year – but what does Sunderland think? Hannah Rooney went to find out. This year’s Oxford Word of the Year – ‘rage bait’ – describes a tactic where internet users purposefully inspire anger in others, to drive their profile on social […]
Snowed In Sunlun is back, and this time it’s bigger than ever. Snowed In is a festive-themed charity gig, run by Sunderland University’s Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME) students. This year, they are expanding the initiative and putting on two shows, one at Pop Recs, Sunderland, on December 10th and the other at Vixen […]
