A powerful new storytelling project is casting Southend in a fresh light, placing its people and the places they love at the heart of the city’s story.
"Proud of Our Southend" brings together a compelling series of short films and striking portrait photography, capturing authentic voices and everyday moments across both familiar community spaces and unexpected corners.
While widely recognised as "London's beach" and attracting more than 7.3 million visitors each year, the project moves beyond traditional promotion to offer an honest, people-led perspective on the deep connections that define the city.
Andy Delaney, one of the "Proud of Our Southend" filmmakers, said about the project: "What we wanted to do with 'Proud of Our Southend' was to strip everything back and just listen. These are real people, telling their own stories, in their own words about what they love most about their city. What we got back was unfiltered, sometimes funny, sometimes unexpected, but always honest.
"We found ourselves in all sorts of corners of the city, from Daisy the matcha-loving dancer to Chris the Crown Green Bowling enthusiast, to the family-orientated library. And everywhere we went, people had these brilliant, personal snapshots of why Southend matters to them.
"They're small stories on the surface, but together they build something much bigger: a portrait of a place full of character, humour and quiet pride. That's what we've tried to capture: not a polished version of Southend, but a real one."
The collection was unveiled with a special preview screening at the Beecroft Art Gallery, before moving into public view across the city.
Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: "This is Southend as told by the people who know it best. Rebuilding Civic Pride is a top priority for our joint administration, and we're incredibly proud to see so many voices from across our brilliant city brought together in this way.
"These short films unashamedly show how the council is doing its bit through Suez to keep its streets clean and safe. But also, what amazing work is being done by our Libraries and Museums, to our allotments and sports facilities. Just as importantly, this shows the people who live, work and enjoy the huge community offer day in day out."
Faces of a city
Complementing the films is a bold portrait series, presenting a diverse cross-section of Southend's residents. Together, the images form a collective visual identity celebrating the individuality, character and shared pride that define the city.
Portraits will appear in community venues such as the Forum Library, as well as on large outdoor screens and bus shelters, embedding these stories into the everyday fabric of Southend life.
Tara Poore, Chair of the Southend City Partnership and CEO of City Family, said: "What stands out in these stories is the strength of connection to people, to place, and to each other. Through my work, I see every day how important it is that communities are heard and valued. This project captures that beautifully, showing a Southend that is proud, compassionate and full of potential when we listen to and learn from one another."
Where can you watch the videos
The films will be released weekly, exploring three key themes:
- Alive and thrive
- Clean and green
- All well and good
Audiences can follow the story as it unfolds from Monday 22 June via the Southend-on-Sea City Council's social media channels, as well as in The Echo and Your Southend, where the first film will premiere alongside exclusive content from across the series.