LeftLion Magazine #150

Uni of Nottingham Graduate Hanna Flint Chats the Importance of Filmmaking, Representation in Cinema and Her New Book Strong Female Character

After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Hanna Flint has gone from strength-to-strength as a film journalist, working...

LeftLion Editors Past and Present Lift the Lid on Looking After One of Nottingham’s Longest-Running Publications

27 August 22

Between them, Jared Wilson, Bridie Squires and Ashley Carter have been Editor for 89 of LeftLion’s 150 issues (alongside Al Needham, 27 issues between 2009-2013, and Ali Emm, 34 issues between 2013-2017). To celebrate us reaching our landmark release, the three sat down to reminisce about their time holding the LeftLion reins…

We Sit Down With Ford & Guy Founder Suzanne Ford to Hear All About Her Eye-Catching Fashion Brand

24 August 22

Combining stunning silhouettes, sustainable fabric and eye-catching graphics, Nottingham fashion brand Ford & Guy may be relatively new on the scene, but they’re already proving to be ones to watch with their designs already being worn by some big names and top social media influencers with a huge following, such as Astrid Zeegen. We catch up with owner Suzanne (Suzie) Ford to find out more about her iconic designs…

LeftLion’s All-Seeing, All-Knowing Editor Ashley Carter Uses His Boundless Wisdom to Help You Lot Out

21 August 22

In an act of benevolence to rival Father Christmas himself, our glorious leader and Editor, Ashley Carter, has decided to celebrate our 150th issue by helping you lot out. Offering something far more valuable than toys and presents, he’s bestowing some of his worldly wisdom* by helping the readers of LeftLion with some of the problems submitted through our social media channels. You’re welcome.

We Visit Katharina Fitz’s Nottingham Studio and Learn All About Her Groundbreaking Work

18 August 22

We had the pleasure of visiting artist Katharina Fitz’s Nottingham art studio to speak to her about her motivations, ideas and art practice. Having already exhibited in Nottingham and across the globe, we can only wonder how the grinding, crunching cogs of her work will turn in the next ten years…

University of Nottingham Graduate Ayo Oyelola Chats American Football, Chasing Crazy Dreams and Joining the Jacksonville Jaguars

15 August 22

Nottingham and the NFL have hardly gone hand-in-hand over the years - but with the University of Nottingham graduate Ayo Oyelola recently joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, they do now. We catch up with the defensive back ahead of the 2022/23 season…

Local Campaigner Kedijah Eaves-O’Connor Shares How We Can All Do Our Bit to Protect the Environment

11 August 22

Starting off as a geography student, Kedijah Eaves-O'Connor quickly shifted to environmental science upon learning more about the scary reality of climate change. Now the young activist is committed to sustainability and getting more people of colour involved in the environmental sector…

After Being Named One of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow, The Television Workshop’s Jorden Myrie Discusses His Impressive Career So Far

06 August 22

From hard-hitting dramas to genre-blending comedies, Jorden Myrie has already achieved an impressive amount since studying at The Television Workshop - but, after being named as one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow, he’s only just getting started…

Our Flag Means Death Star Nathan Foad on Working With Taika Waititi, Growing Up in Newark and Learning to Take Risks

03 August 22

From posting comedic videos on Twitter to starring in one of the most popular comedies on TV, Our Flag Means Death, Newark-born Nathan Foad has had one hell of a story so far. We chat to the writer, actor and producer about working with Taika Waititi, his new show, Newark, Newark, and how he plans to build an entertainment empire…

Nadia On...The Strikes

02 August 22

In her regular column, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome discusses the strikes and why she's getting involved...

Inside Nottingham Youth Climate Assembly’s Quest to Save the Planet

Young people can often feel like their voices get lost when it comes to climate change, but movements like Fridays For Future have...

When Pigs Escape Director Jusep Moreno Explains Why He Took on This One-Of-A-Kind Documentary

28 August 22

We chat to filmmaker Jusep Moreno about his documentary When Pigs Escape, which tells the true story of Matilda the pig and her babies, who were rescued from the woods after escaping from a Nottinghamshire farm…

NTU Graduate Chester Carr Shares His Experiences with Creating Spider-Man Concept Art and Directing His Own Movies

26 August 22

Since graduating from Nottingham Trent University back in 2014, concept artist Chester Carr has gone on to work on the likes of Spider-Man: Far From Home and Overlord, as well as directing his own short films - including Death of the Primate, a winner at this year’s Nottingham International Film Festival. Kieran Burt hears all about his artistic process, plans for the future and much more…

Retro Giants COW Nottingham Chat Y2K Looks, Cylical Fashion and the Importance of Sustainability

22 August 22

Looking around today, you may have spotted that many Y2K trends are going through a bit of a resurgence and, while it only seems like yesterday when these styles were first introduced, many of them have found their way back into the limelight. We catch up with Brooke Skelton, supervisor of retro giants COW Nottingham, to find out more about the cyclical nature of fashion and why, twenty years later, these trends are back and here to stay…

Beans on Toast Dives Into His Upcoming Event at the Arboretum - the Foolhardy Folk Festival

17 August 22

Having risen to prominence in the British folk scene, James McAllister, otherwise known as Beans on Toast, is one of the most respected artists around - known for his lyricism centring around drugs, politics and love. But now the singer is taking on a role as event organiser of the Foolhardy Folk Festival, coming to Nottingham Arboretum in August. Before it gets going, we catch up with the singer about summer vibes, going back to simplicity, and his love for festivals…

How Local Zine Queer Notts Is Aiming to Shine a Light on Our City’s Vibrant LGBT+ Scene

12 August 22

With a surprisingly small amount of queer venues in Nottingham, it might be easy to believe that we don’t have a thriving LGBT+ scene. But according to one local zine creator, the Nottingham queer community is thriving and in desparate need of celebration. In light of this, we catch up with Jade Bramley, the creative behind Queer Notts, to chat the vibrancy of queer creatives and their latest zine based around the queer Nottingham music scene…

Under Cover Artist: Ana Caspão

10 August 22

When record temperatures put paid to our plans for a Great Gatsby-inspired cover shoot, we called on Ana Caspão to illustrate us all looking suave and sophisticated - and it’s safe to say she did not disappoint. We hear all about how she put together this proper swanky piece…

New Artistic Director and CEO of the New Art Exchange Saad Eddine Said Outlines His Plans for the Iconic Cultural Centre

08 August 22

Formerly the Director of HOME Slough, Saad Eddine Said has built a career in the arts sector, having worked with many high-profile organisations and artists. He spoke to us about his aims within his new role as Artistic Director and CEO of the New Art Exchange in Nottingham…

Writer Michael Pedersen Chats New Book Boy Friends Ahead of His Visit to Waterstones Nottingham

04 August 22

In 2018, poet Michael Pedersen set off on a trip across the Scottish Highlands with one of his best friends Scott Hutchison - founder of the indie rock band Frightened Rabbit. But after the sudden passing of the latter, Pedersen found himself surrounded by grief as he sat down to write his next book. Unable to write poetry, though, he poured himself into journals, and what emerged was Boy Friends, the touching new release chronicling his life through the lens of male friendships. Ahead of his event at Waterstones on Tuesday 9 August, we catch up with the author about his process and inspiration…

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