Every wall has a story to tell.

Byline: By Beth Neil

Newcastle filmmaker John Allen didn't have to go further than his own front door for his latest blockbuster.

John's tower block, Todd's Nook, on Westgate Road provided the location and inspiration for his film 60 Floors And Lots Of Doors which will debut at the Side Cinema on Newcastle's Quayside this Saturday.

The film was made in response to the Side Cinema's challenge to produce a film based around the theme `The Way We Live'.

John, 37, spoke to the people who live in the 1960s high-rise building which was built during the T Dan Smith era.

John said: "I wanted to make a film that found character in the mundane and the functional. I was trying to get people to look again at buildings and consider the lives that had taken place within their walls and behind their windows.

"Imprints of lives can be found in buildings where people have set up home, it's as if the walls can tell a story.

"The amazing thing about these particular tower blocks is their location. They are quite exposed and are situated on the top of a hill, which makes the views second to none. The vantage point allows you to look out to sea and watch the ships disappear over the horizon. The sunrises and sunsets are amazing and I've often watched storms moving across the city from my window."

The event is part of National Architecture Week, organised by Northern Architecture and Arts Council England, North East.

The Side Cinema, which will screen the animations and films as part of a free six hour marathon, was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of talented entrants.

Ele Carpenter, of the Side Cinema said: "We hope people will experience a different way of looking at their environment and think about the architectural space. Many of the films in Windows Wide Open challenge common stereotypes of architecture and explore the places where people live and work.

"The Side Cinema hopes that Architecture Week encourages architects and planners to listen to the critical questions that people are asking about architecture in their environment."

As well as `60 Floors and Lots of Doors,' local painter Angela Hughes' beautiful fixed angle views of Swan Hunters shipyard in Wallsend and Sunderland student Louise Hepworth's series of intimate portraits of people in their homes will also be shown.

Pupils from Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington have also produced a five minute silent movie about the 1916 gas explosion at Woodhorn Colliery in which 13 men lost their lives. The children's project explores the impact the tragedy had on a local community.

The film-fest begins at 2pm this Saturday and ends at 8pm, with a 15 minute break every hour. For more information call 0191 261 0066

For more information on National Architecture Week log on to www.architectureweek.org.uk