Joe Harrington is the Norwich based videographer behind coastal erosion film, After the Tide, which streams on Disney+ in the New Year. Ahead of appearing at King’s Lynn Film Festival next Friday, Joe takes up the story
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Joe, a local filmmaker based in Norwich. Most of my work is for charities and environmental organisations across the country but I also direct my own documentary films.
What led you to becoming a filmmaker?
I worked at Costa Coffee as a student and decided very quickly I didn’t like being told what to do. I wasn’t really that good at anything else, but I was very passionate about films. I had a collection in my teens of well over 300 DVDs from 1920’s Italian films to Kurosawa’s full collection, it was an obsession.
Are you Norfolk born and raised? What do you love about working in the county?
I am a Norfolk Buh. I love the contrast; we are so lucky in this county to have so many dynamic and varied landscapes. I love the Brecks in particular, but even the flatlands around Acle are so unique. I also like that people pass Norfolk off, we have an exceptional amount of talent across our county, and we know that we punch above our weight.
What is the appeal of environmental films? Has living in Norfolk shaped that?
I’ve just never been interested in the corporate and commercial world. Of course, I do a lot of commercial work as a business but when you’re working in the environment you meet these incredibly passionate, personable, knowledgeable folk who have spent their career preserving and protecting something. I love that. I’ve always been interested in people as well, so there is a great crossover. I was very lucky to work with the Broads Authority early on in my career and through my work with them I became very passionate about this field of work.
How would you describe your documentary, After the Tide?
Raw. You will laugh, you will cry and you will have conflict. The film explores the issue of coastal erosion, the arguments around sea defences and why people hold onto their homes with the full knowledge that they will one day be lost. The film also looks at some of the historic context around sea defences and how government policy fails to meet the needs of those at risk. From the outset it was made purely out of an interest in the subject matter and the characters, we had no funding and no real understanding of where this film would end up.
What can audiences expect at the Q&A event at King’s Lynn Film Festival next week?
The Q&A is my favourite part of these screenings. It’s a great opportunity to meet someone from the film and ask them questions directly about what it’s like to live in villages at risk from erosion. It’s also a chance to ask me questions about the making of the film and some of the developments that have happened to the characters since the film was completed.
Where else can people watch it?
After the Tide has another screening coming up at Cambridge Junction on 18th December at 19:30 which will be a fantastic show and a chance to introduce the film to audiences a little further from the coast. It’s also available on Amazon to rent or buy and will be streaming on Disney+ in the New Year.
What is your next project?
I’m always working on projects that are important to me. I am currently finishing up a short project based around a family in Hemsby which will be part of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival which is really exciting. On top of this I am about to start a larger project across North Norfolk which will cover similar themes to After the Tide.
Joe Harrington is appearing at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, as part of King’s Lynn Film Festival, to introduce a screening of After the Tide (2024) at 2pm on Friday November 28, 2025. The screening will be followed by a Q&A. Visit kingslynncornexchange.co.uk. Also, visit AFTER THE TIDE.
Featured images – supplied
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