FINALIST 2025
Local Heroes: Withington Walls, a short documentary film following a grassroots community art project in south Manchester.
The film explores how public art can positively impact the community by making it accessible to everyone. This story is about how we can make tangible improvements in people's lives while prioritising human connection and creativity.
Withington Walls is a creative project rooted in uplifting its community and instilling pride in a neighbourhood through public art. This documentary investigates the motivation behind the project and how it inspires the community.
The film follows founder Ed’s journey from the project’s conception to its current success. It tracks the challenges he faces in building a creative initiative that he hopes will become a “catalyst for change”. Local Heroes: Withington Walls features interviews with street artists, business owners, and a local councillor sharing their opinions on the transformation of the neighbourhood.
The film features scenes of the vibrant murals Withington Walls has commissioned, muralists at work, and community events, such as the Withington Walls Paint Jam, showcasing the relationship between art and community spirit.
Local Heroes: Withington Walls is a Wilderness Studio production.
Directed, filmed and edited by Alex Snelson & Joshua Thomas
Written by Char L Reck.
VIBRANT PUBLIC ART AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Withington Walls is a community street art project, funded by donations and run by volunteers. It is principally funded by local people, and the artwork is in their image.
The project has helped rejuvenate a suburb of South Manchester called Withington by turning grey boring walls and shop shutters into something beautiful by enlisting the talents of, principally local, artists. Some of these are up and coming, some are well established "names".
The idea is to create a sense of 'place', of vibrancy, and character through an injection of colour and street art. That it could be an inspiration and a source of pride and joy for local people. That a platform could be provided for artists to express themselves.
Over 3 years, the project has delivered 100+ artworks on street cabinets, shop shutters and walls - the most famous being the one of Marcus Rashford by AkseP19 which has become iconic. 4 “queer cacti” art installations on lamp posts, that make a colourful, welcoming and inclusive statement, with zip-ties that match the colours of the LGBTQIA+ flag.
By showing that people care about improving how Withington looks and feels, through celebrating positive role models with local connections, highlighting important issues, and being inclusive, it is hoped that it will not just raise a smile but that people will look after the area more and make their own positive contributions to society or inspire creativity in them.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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