I Love North Shields • 25th September 2024

Coast Fest - Award Winning Coast Festival Returns for its Second Year

In the post-pandemic years, North Shields has seen quite the resurgence in its music scene. Venues like The Engine Room, Three Tanners Bank and The Salt Market Social have hosted gigs for both local and national artists.

18th March 2024

FEATURE: BERWICK FILM AND MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL

The 19th Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival returns to venues in the town from Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th March. Featuring world premieres by artists from nine different countries, with all films looking at liberation and freedom in a global context, the festival promises to be both relevant and emotional.

Empoword Journalism • 18th February 2024

The Oscars 'Barbie Snub' Isn't The End Of The World

Ahead of the 96th Academy Awards in March, there’s been a lot of chatter about a ‘Barbie snub’ — but isn’t that a bit dramatic? In the year of Barbenheimer billions, some viewers are surprised to see Barbie (2023) miss out on the coveted Best Picture and Lead Actress spots – but why are we discounting their eight other nominations? What about the scores of other female directors and actresses finally getting their moment in the sun?

26th October 2023

FEATURE: Sunderland Shorts Film Festival

Sunderland Shorts Film Festival is back for its eighth year this October, showcasing a variety of local, national and global talent across the city. Between Monday 16th-Sunday 22nd October, screenings will be held at a number of locations across Sunderland. With over 160 films set to premiere, there’s a wide range of genres and styles to suit everyone. For those who’d like to get into the nitty gritty of filmmaking, there are opportunities to attend panel discussions with BFI Film Hub North an

26th October 2023

INTERVIEW: Two Divided By Zero

Sarah Storer talks to event curator Nick Hodgson about the brand new North Shields festival hoping to shine a light on the area’s venues A brand-new music festival is set to take place this month on North Shields’ Fish Quay. On Saturday 19th August, Two Divided By Zero will feature new and upcoming artists at two of the Fish Quay’s most loved venues, The Engine Room and Three Tanners Bank.

NARC • 23rd June 2023

STAGE REVIEW: I, Daniel Blake @ Northern Stage (31.05.023)

“I, Daniel Blake teaches the audience to be kind to one another, to help one another, and reminds you that this is not a work of fiction” Sarah Storer witnesses an emotional stage production of Ken Loach’s timeless film Ken Loach’s timeless film I, Daniel Blake has been given a new lease of life in this powerful stage adaptation.

The Indiependent • 9th March 2023

'Afire' Berlinale Review: A New Take on Fragile Masculinity

The ongoing insecurities of masculinity are brought to the forefront in Christian Petzold’s newest film, Afire. The film, recent winner of the Berlinale’s Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, brings four young people together, trapped by ever-growing forest fires. Leon (Thomas Schubert), a writer, and his friend Felix (Langston Uibel), a photographer, travel to Felix’s holiday home on the Baltic coast to get some much-needed work done. Things start to go wrong immediately when their car breaks down en

The Indiependent • 8th March 2023

'The Plough' Berlinale Review: A Potent Look at Grief

What happens when the patriarch of your family business dies? That’s one of many questions answered in Philippe Garrel’s latest film, The Plough. Art imitates life for Garrel as he directs his three children for the first time. Louis, Esther and Léna Garrel respectively play Louis, Martha and Léna, the children of a puppeteer (Aurélien Recoring) who directs their Punch and Judy-like puppet show, Le Grand Chariot.

Empoword Journalism • 6th March 2023

Golda Review: Helen Mirren Does Her Best in New Biopic

Helen Mirren brings Golda Meir, Israel’s ‘Iron Lady’, back into the limelight in new biopic Golda. Depicting the first female Israeli Prime Minister’s perspective of the Yom Kippur War, Golda attempts to show a complicated character study of those not directly on the frontline. Doubts over Mirren’s casting were in discussion long before the film’s release. Criticism came from Jewish actresses such as Maureen Lipman over Mirren’s decision to play Golda Meir, as Mirren herself is not Jewish. In

Sarah Storer Journo • 9th September 2022

How volunteering can combat your loneliness | The Lonely Hub

Everybody will volunteer at one point in their lives. It could be for varying reasons: retiring, work experience, summer holiday projects. It may be volunteering in a charity shop, at a festival or with the local council.

Sarah Storer Journo • 9th September 2022

How The Men's Shed Movement is supporting Communities

The Men's Shed Movement provide spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The Shed at North Tyneside's Linskill Centre has made a safe and welcoming space for all. *Student Project*

Sarah Storer Journo • 8th September 2022

Is social media making us lonelier? | The Lonely Hub

The lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic meant social media became a lifeline. Unable to see loved ones face-to-face, people’s only choice was to interact online. We saw them as tiny figures on a screen. It was, for a moment in time, normality. And people were less lonely because of it.

Sarah Storer Journo • 8th September 2022

Meet the knitting group helping to end loneliness

Meet The Woolies, a knit and natter group based at Linskill Centre in North Shields. The group aims to share skills and create new friendships. Community groups like these are essential in helping to end loneliness. *Student Project*

22nd August 2022

Do Universities need to tackle loneliness more? | The Lonely Hub

University is meant to be the best three years of your life. But for many, it’s not. It can be a long, daunting and lonely time. Inspired by my own experiences with loneliness during my Undergraduate Degree, I spoke to two students, Eve Davies and Joeli Cansdale, to discuss how loneliness has impacted their studies.

Empoword Journalism • 6th June 2022

How much did social media impact the Depp-Heard case?

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

Empoword Journalism • 6th June 2022

How much did social media impact the Depp-Heard case?

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

Sarah Storer Journo • 23rd May 2022

Just how safe is it to go to gigs now?

Going to a gig always invites a variety of emotions. Excitement, adrenaline, pleasure. The endorphins of seeing a favourite artist are unmatched. Caught up in the electrifying atmosphere as an audience of thousands sings along to that artist. It is a magical experience, one that should be remembered as a highlight years down the line. Sometimes, all it takes is for one tiny, bad moment to ruin the atmosphere of a gig altogether. An anonymous hand groping, touching your back, arms, legs. An apat

Empoword Journalism • 28th March 2022

The Oscars tried to fix itself - it failed miserably

Last night, the 94th Oscars took place, signalling the end of another Award Season. Dune took home the most awards, whilst Apple became the first streamer to win Best Picture, for indie feelgood CODA. However, in such a disjointed and painful ceremony, the winners were overlooked after nearly four hours of chaos. After two years without a host, the Academy decided to bring them back in the shape of comedians Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. All three didn’t seem to click, and not a sin

Empoword Journalism • 31st January 2022

The Empoword Opinion Column: An organised mess

The second term of my Master’s Degree starts next week, and I have not prepared at all. I wouldn’t say I am a chronic procrastinator, but I do leave everything to the last minute. The buildup of looming deadlines is something I need to work on, whether it be an article or university assignment. Even though I leave my work to the last minute, and it’s something I never seemed to want to change; I will complain about my bad timings. Last term, I started my degree on top of working full-time and

Sarah Storer Journo • 21st January 2022

The spiking epidemic: how is it affecting young people's nightlife?

The spiking epidemic: how is it affecting young people’s nightlife? Young people and university students were met with an unwanted gift as the new academic term started. A spiking epidemic was rife in city hotspots, just as lockdown restrictions on nightclubs were lifted. As well as getting their drinks spiked, people wanting to enjoy their night out now had to be wary of being spiked via injection. A mass number of posts on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter went viral, making sure that young peo