A FEATURE documentary film from award-winning South Essex based film makers Blatella Films about the first Thurrock Pride Festival in 2024, had its final public screening of its festival run last week at the Thameside Theatre in Grays, where the journey started back in 2023.

 'Our Journey to Pride' captures the story of the efforts of the Thurrock LGBTQ+ network in putting together the first ever pride event in Thurrock, celebrating diversity, and community. Over the last 18 months since the film premiered in Grays, Essex, it has been sent around the world and has been screened at 34 film festivals in 14 different countries ranging from Argentina to Serbia, to UAE.

Director, Benjamin Scarsbrook, 38, was asked about the film's success at the Thameside Theatre screening, saying: "When I started making this film, I never imagined it to have the success it has had, not even close. We knew the story we were telling was special, but to have audiences across the world watching it and awarding us 'best documentary,' 'best director' and 'best in festival' awards has completely taken us by surprise."

Across its festival run, Our Journey to Pride collected 27 awards and distinctions ranging from 'best feature film' at a film festival in the USA, to awards for 'best documentary film' at festivals in Canada, India, and Slovakia.

Jo Sedley Burke, Chair of Thurrock LGBTQ+ network added: "We all love the film. It is such a moving record of what we managed to achieve and is a great reminder of why we must continue to reach out and support the LGBTQ+ community here in Thurrock and the surrounding area. 

"To have our story seen by audiences around the world has been really humbling.

"We hope it has inspired someone out there to reach out to their local LGBTQ+ community group or even start one. The message of 'we rise by lifting others' is really important to our network and the work that Ben, Natalie and the team at Blatella Films have put into this film has really demonstrated that ethos, we're so grateful to them for their ongoing support."

advertisement

Benjamin Scarsbrook

Blatella Films, now based in Southend was founded by Natalie and Benjamin Scarsbrook, who both grew up in Grays and know the area well. Benjamin added: "From my time here as a teenager and in my early 20s, I wasn't aware of any groups or activities for the LGBTQ+ community.

"So, when we found out that a group was establishing a pride festival in the area, I knew that was an interesting story to tell on film. 

"Representation is important and pride festivals are a great way to not only celebrate yourself for who you are without worrying about the opinions of others, but also to show an area that it is a welcome space for everyone, including people under the LGBTQ+ banner.

"There's a line in the documentary which really moves me which is said by Jon Tilley, a founding member of the Thurrock LGBTQ+ network, he says 'It's not about whether we set out to achieve what we wanted to achieve, we did that and more, but if we reached out to just one person sat a home and watching the pride march go past, who then realised that they aren't alone, then that's what's really important' ."

Blatella Films have been supporting local pride organisations for the last 10 years and have another short film currently entered into festivals worldwide. 'Why We Pride.' The short documentary, made in collaboration with Southend-on-Sea Pride is a video essay which highlights key milestones in UK law which are relevant to the LGBTQ+ community and explains why pride festivals are more important now than ever. 

 The film recently celebrated its 52^nd film festival screening in Melbourne, Australia and marked a key achievement in that it has now been shown in every populated continent around the world.

advertisement

'Our Journey to Pride' will now be released online later this month to mark LGBT history month which takes place throughout February. Thurrock Pride will return later this year to the Thameside Theatre in Grays on 13 June 2026 for its third annual festival.

 Blatella Films have previously worked with multiple Pride events and would love to work on more around the UK, to promote community and inclusion in society.