The Local Heroes team showcased their work bringing an incredible North East story to life with a sold-out showing of short documentary Out and About with The Colmans at The Customs House in South Shields.
The event offered attendees an immersive experience, celebrating the Colmans’ story and the vibrant local culture of the region, as well as celebrating 100 years of fish and chips with the family.
The documentary shows the Local Heroes team – Dan Prince and Chris Jewitt – travel to Barga in Italy to find out about the link between a small town in northern Tuscany and North East favourite Colmans Fish & Chips on Ocean Road in South Shields.
Following the screening, guests enjoyed a live Q&A podcast with members of the Colman family – providing an insight into their experiences and behind-the-scenes moments captured in the documentary. They also talked openly about growth, resilience, leadership, and what it takes to build something that lasts 100 years.
Audience members praised the event for its engaging format and the chance to connect directly with the storytellers – with questions from the audience and some audience participation.
The event was Local Heroes’ first foray into combining documentary screenings with live interactive discussions, and following the response from the community, the team hopes it will be the first of many more such initiatives.
“We’re thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiastic feedback,” said Dan. “Stories like the Colmans’ feel right at home for Local Heroes – this is what we do! We tell stories that have a strong identity and heritage, and that celebrate local people who do great things. Thank you to everyone who came out, filled the seats, and brought the South Shields spirit.”
Local Heroes invites everyone to explore more of their regional storytelling work – which shines a light on the people, places and stories that define, inspire and connect communities. For more information and to discover upcoming projects, visit www.wearelocalheroes.com
