Sector News Wire

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Arts, culture, entertainment, film, music, books, and creative industries.

Altrincham, Greater Manchester - 10 April 2026•Jalla Publishing House•

Cartoons that made Altrincham smile: Former BBC journalist brings humour and humanity to local art fair

At the Altrincham Society of Artists Easter Art Fair 2026, Manchester-based artist and former BBC journalist Vinay Jalla's satirical cartoons stood out, engaging visitors with humour and thought-provoking social and political commentary. Jalla's work, which addresses themes like politics and human behaviour, prompted laughter and reflection among attendees, highlighting the power of cartoons to connect art with everyday experiences. The fair featured over 20 artists and was praised for its diver

Cartoons that made Altrincham smile: Former BBC journalist brings humour and humanity to local art fair
Newcastle, UK - April 13, 2026•Marriott Communications•

North East International Film Festival Announces Official Partnership with The Gainford Group

The North East International Film Festival (NEIFF) has partnered with The Gainford Group, a leading hospitality operator, for its 2026 festival. This collaboration will see Gainford venues hosting and supporting festival events, offering exclusive discounts to attendees, and sponsoring key networking events. The partnership aims to enhance the festival experience and promote Newcastle as a cultural destination.

North East International Film Festival Announces Official Partnership with The Gainford Group
Carnforth May 2026•About Time Marketing•

Return of Popular ‘Dog Day’ opens Historic Hall’s Season

Leighton Hall in Lancashire is reopening for the season on 3rd May, offering affordable local day trips amid rising household costs. The season begins with 'Dog Day' on 4th May, featuring dog-related events and supporting Animal Rescue Cumbria Charity. The hall aims to provide an inclusive and environmentally friendly visitor experience, with half-price entry for local residents and free entry for Historic Houses members.

Return of Popular ‘Dog Day’ opens Historic Hall’s Season
LONDON, UK - April 10, 2026•Elizabeth Xi Bauer•

Response to a Request (or spasm of the soul) Curated by Brian Griffiths, Elizabeth Xi Bauer, Exmouth Market, 1st May - 14th June 2026. Part of London Gallery Weekend 5th - 7th June.

The exhibition "Response to a Request (or spasm of the soul)" curated by Brian Griffiths at Elizabeth Xi Bauer, Exmouth Market, runs from 1st May to 14th June 2026, as part of London Gallery Weekend. It features works by various artists that explore the gap between artistic requests and responses, highlighting ambiguity and misalignment as integral to the creative process. This exhibition suggests that art's resistance to clear purpose can be a valid form of expression, with artists using divers

Response to a Request (or spasm of the soul) Curated by Brian Griffiths, Elizabeth Xi Bauer, Exmouth Market, 1st May - 14th June 2026. Part of London Gallery Weekend 5th - 7th June.
jwc•

Soft Blue Tones and Coastal Calm Define Beach House Art’s Cool Blue-Inspired Prints

Pinterest has identified Cool Blue as a key colour trend for 2026, and Beach House Art is offering a range of blue-hued artwork to help homeowners incorporate this trend. The art studio's pieces, inspired by the British coastline, aim to create a calming and serene atmosphere in homes without requiring major renovations. This trend matters as it aligns with the growing interest in biophilic design, which seeks to bring elements of nature indoors.

Soft Blue Tones and Coastal Calm Define Beach House Art’s Cool Blue-Inspired Prints
Candy Jar Books•

The Raccoons Imagination+ Audiobooks Launching At Bologna

Run With Us Productions and Candy Jar Books are launching a new line of Imagination+ Audiobooks based on "The Raccoons" at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. This initiative, developed with series creator Kevin Gillis, aims to broaden access to the stories by offering a cinematic audiobook experience, complementing the existing illustrated chapter books. The move is part of a broader resurgence of the classic series, which has seen renewed interest and expanded distribution globally.

The Raccoons Imagination+ Audiobooks Launching At Bologna
Liverpool, UK•Sycamore Communications•

Creative Professionals Come Together for Transformative First-Ever Designer Studio in Liverpool

Ryan Wenham's firm, Larsen Architecture, hosted the inaugural Designer Studio event in Liverpool, bringing together architects and designers from across the UK for a two-day mentorship and collaboration experience. The event focused on growth, collaboration, and business development, featuring sessions on creative direction, marketing strategies, and practical business realities. Participants found the experience valuable for building confidence and professional connections, and plans are underw

Creative Professionals Come Together for Transformative First-Ever Designer Studio in Liverpool
MIDDLESBROUGH, NE - March, 30, 2025•Fear Screen LTD•

North East Filmmaker Craig Conway Brings Debut Feature Film Home to Middlesbrough in Aid of Calm Suicide Prevention

Actor and filmmaker Craig Conway is bringing his debut feature film, "Red Riding," to Middlesbrough for a charity screening to support CALM, a UK suicide prevention charity. The screening, hosted by Fear Screen and Roxy Movies, will include a live Q&A with Conway and the film's producer, and features short films by local filmmakers. Proceeds from the event will be donated to CALM.

North East Filmmaker Craig Conway Brings Debut Feature Film Home to Middlesbrough in Aid of Calm Suicide Prevention
SHEFFIELD, UK - 02 April, 2026•Worlds Collide•

Abbeydale Live Returns for 2026 with Full Weekend Festival Across 20 Venues

Abbeydale Live will return on 18th-19th April 2026 as a free festival featuring live music, DJs, and family activities across 20 venues on Abbeydale Road. The event, which has expanded from a one-day to a two-day festival, aims to support local businesses and artists, and will include a new stage dedicated to the Sarah Nulty Music Foundation. The festival is expected to boost footfall and trade for independent businesses, building on the success of its 2025 debut.

Abbeydale Live Returns for 2026 with Full Weekend Festival Across 20 Venues
STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND - April 1, 2026•David Elliott•

Geekstorians Nominated For Best History Podcast In The 30th Annual Webby Awards

Geekstorians has been nominated for Best History Podcast in the 30th Annual Webby Awards. Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, The Webby Awards are widely regarded as one of the Internet’s top honours. Nominees are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a judging panel of more than 3,000 industry experts, with only five nominees chosen in each category. Geekstorians is a documentary-style podcast from Geektown, created and hosted by Da

Geekstorians Nominated For Best History Podcast In The 30th Annual Webby Awards
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE - MARCH 30, 2026•White Hot Communications•

Step Into Van Gogh: Immersive Yoga Sessions in Newcastle this Summer

This summer, Newcastle's Utilita Arena will host immersive yoga sessions within the "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience," allowing participants to practice yoga surrounded by Van Gogh's famous artworks. The sessions, led by a qualified instructor, aim to enhance physical and mental wellbeing by combining wellness with culture. The event is expected to attract significant attendance, benefiting local tourism and the economy.

Step Into Van Gogh: Immersive Yoga Sessions in Newcastle this Summer
Carmarthenshire, Wales - March 25, 2026•Candy Jar Books•

Gracelands Sees C.P. Davies Return To Her Eccentric Welsh World

Author C.P. Davies has released "Gracelands," a sequel to her debut novel "Trecadno," set in rural Carmarthenshire, Wales. The book follows John Simmonds as he navigates a surreal and unpredictable year in a fictional Welsh town inspired by Davies' own experiences. This sequel continues to explore the quirks of small Welsh communities with humour and authenticity.

Gracelands Sees C.P. Davies Return To Her Eccentric Welsh World
Sussex, March 25, 2026•Candy Jar Books•

Sussex Author Gives Foxes A Fresh Image In New Children’s Book

Author and illustrator Christine Chambers from Littlehampton has released a new children's book, "Arctic Fox Opens A Magical Ice Cream Shop," as a follow-up to her successful debut, "Red Fox Does What? Surely Not!" The book aims to change perceptions of foxes by creating positive and imaginative stories about them, focusing on fun and friendship. Chambers' work is available in bookshops across the UK.

Sussex Author Gives Foxes A Fresh Image In New Children’s Book
London 22nd march 2026•High5VR•

High5VR Announces World’s First Fully Immersive First-Person VR Movie

High5VR has announced the development of the world's first fully immersive first-person virtual reality movie, based on the book "Sammy Rambles and the Floating Circus." This project allows audiences to experience the story from within, using VR headsets to see, feel, and move through the narrative as if they are the main character. The initiative aims to transform storytelling by offering a more interactive and engaging experience, aligning with the growing demand for immersive content.

High5VR Announces World’s First Fully Immersive First-Person VR Movie
NEW YORK, NY - March 21, 2026•Xiomaro Art Studio•

Xiomaro’s New Photography Book Explores Life Along the Jersey Shore and Seaside Traditions from Britain and Ireland

New York City artist Xiomaro has released a new photography book, "Street Photography of the Wildwoods: The Other Side of Nostalgia," which explores the cultural and historical contrasts of the Wildwoods, a seaside resort in New Jersey. The book captures the vibrant and complex character of the area, highlighting its mix of mid-century nostalgia and contemporary culture, as well as its connections to British and Irish traditions. This work follows Xiomaro's previous book on New York City and ref

Xiomaro’s New Photography Book Explores Life Along the Jersey Shore and Seaside Traditions from Britain and Ireland
HULL, UK - March 20, 2026•MMC PR & Comms•

HEY Creative appoints City of Culture champion as new Chief Officer

HEY Creative has appointed Lisa Mallaghan, a leader in the UK's City of Culture initiatives, as its new Chief Officer. With over 20 years of experience in arts programmes, Lisa will guide HEY Creative in fostering arts, culture, and heritage in Hull and East Yorkshire. This appointment aims to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and build on the region's cultural development.

HEY Creative appoints City of Culture champion as new Chief Officer
LONDON - MARCH 20, 2026•RADAR PR•

Culture Collective brings communities together with inspiring start to the year

Coleg Cambria's Culture Collective organised events to celebrate International Women's Day and Chinese New Year, engaging over 100 students in discussions and cultural activities. The International Women's Day event featured panel discussions with successful women sharing their career experiences, while the Chinese New Year celebration included cultural demonstrations and activities. These events aim to foster community, inclusivity, and learning among students and staff.

Culture Collective brings communities together with inspiring start to the year
TC Consulting•

They Said I Would Never Walk, I Took To The Skies Instead

Matthew Monaghan, a man from Newtownabbey who was once told he would likely never walk, has released a memoir titled "The Weight of Progress." The book details his life with a rare neuromuscular condition, the challenges he faced, and his journey to becoming the first disabled pilot to land a plane solo at Belfast International Airport. Monaghan's story highlights issues of discrimination and resilience, aiming to inspire others facing similar obstacles.

They Said I Would Never Walk, I Took To The Skies Instead
SHEFFIELD, UK - 19 March, 2025•Worlds Collide•

Ski Slope Returns to Sheffield City Centre as ShAFF Celebrates 20 Years

A mini ski slope will be set up in Sheffield city centre this weekend as part of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The slope, presented by Revive Sheffield Ski Village, aims to highlight the campaign for regenerating the former Ski Village site. The festival will feature over 100 films, talks, and events, focusing on adventure and environmental themes, and will include free activities and an after-party.

Ski Slope Returns to Sheffield City Centre as ShAFF Celebrates 20 Years
EXETER, UK - March 19, 2026•Candy Jar Books•

The Children’s Book That’s Helping To Fight Dementia - Now Named Book Of The Month

The children's book "Sissy Snagertooth and Phylis" by Exeter author Peta Hands has been named English-language Children's Book of the Month by the Books Council of Wales. Written during a challenging time in her life, the book aims to raise awareness and funds for the Lewy Body Society, which supports those affected by Lewy body dementia. All profits from the book sales will be donated to the society.

The Children’s Book That’s Helping To Fight Dementia - Now Named Book Of The Month
Page 7