Black Country by the Sea premieres at Black Country Living Museum

Artist Alex Billingham with one of the Octopus Overloads at the Black Country Living Museum - image by Lee Allen

World Octopus Day on the 8th October was marked with a playful film and game launch by artist Alex Billingham, who has been a recipient of support from Black Country Digital Firsts.

On World Octopus Day (8 October 2025) guests gathered at the Black Country Living Museum for the world premiere of Black Country by the Sea, a new, fun, mockumentary film and video game by artist Alex Billingham.

The special morning event included a screening inside the Museum’s 1920s Lamplight Cinema, a Q&A with the artist, a demonstration of the playable computer game, and even a surprise visit from one of the Octopus Overlords themselves.

Filmed across multiple Black Country locations and the North Atlantic Ocean, Black Country by the Sea reimagines the region’s future, one where rising seas have left humans at the mercy of our new rulers, the Octopus Overlords. Styled after the cult 1981 film Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham, Billingham’s playful mockumentary invites octopuses to view humans in their “natural habitat” at a purpose-built human reserve.

Alex commented: “I wanted something that looked at climate change without blame. It’s a fun, brash and silly way of dealing with this while celebrating the ramshackled mash-up that is the Black Country.”

Parminder Dosanjh, Artistic Director at Creative Black Country, said:

“It was fantastic to see Black Country by the Sea come to life on World Octopus Day at the Black Country Living Museum. Alex’s project captures the region’s wit and imagination while opening up conversations about climate change and the future. It’s a brilliant example of how local artists are using digital storytelling to put the Black Country on the map.”  

Black Country by the Sea was commissioned through Black Country Digital Firsts, a partnership between Creative Black Country and The Space, with funding from Arts Council England. The programme supports artists across the region to develop their digital practice through mentoring, workshops and commissions running until the end of 2025.