As November approaches, there are some highly-anticipated films we are excited to see on the big screen whether it’s The Anticipation Game, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Horrible Bosses 2 or any other releases. As much as I’m looking forward to some of these releases, I feel a sinking feeling. How many of these films are being made by women? Out of the three I’ve just listed, none are directed or produced by women. As a female writer, it is disheartening that there are very little female directors at the helm of major film releases.
Is there anything helping the situation?
It would appear there is hope in the form of Underwire Festival, a film festival supporting female film making talent. It is running Tuesday 11th - Saturday 15th November 2014 for the fifth year, this time appearing in Hackney Wick. The festival boasts a wide range of events and activities throughout the five-day period including screenings of short films made by women from different parts of the world, awards, networking and training days and panel sessions to name but a few. A really encouraging aspect is that this year will see the launch of a screenwriting competition for female writers sponsored by The Tommy Vine Fund which will offer a financial award to help produce the winning script. This festival isn’t just there to showcase the talents of unsung female film-making talent. Important issues facing women in the film industry are being tackled through some of the activities offered including representation of lesbians on screen, lack of genuinely strong female characters, female superhero representations and many more.
This could be a wonderful step in the right direction. If you’re an aspiring female director, writer, editor, sound designer, producer etc., do your best to attend Underwire Festival 2014.
Check out more here