Women’s short-film festival comes to Hackney

Underwire festival. Pic: Underwire

Underwire festival. Pic: Underwire

A women’s short film festival gets underway at its new residency in Hackney on Tuesday evening.

The UnderWire Film festival, which aims to give women working in the industry a bigger platform to showcase their work, is now in its fourth year and has moved to The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick.

The east London venue will host five days of screenings, alongside industry insight events and workshops.

Festival producer Chloe Trayner said: “We decided to go east this year because it felt very natural for our audience and our aims. The Yard is a really great space and we think people will feel right at home.”

The festival, which is dedicated to emerging practitioners, will showcase the work of 69 female filmmakers, with a discussion dedicated to the representation of women in film.

Trayner said: “We’ve always been a festival by filmmakers for filmmakers. We aim to create a network so that it’s not only about the festival, but about creating collaborations that go forward to make more amazing films.”

Thronging crowds at Underwire 2013. Pic: Underwire.

Thronging crowds at Underwire 2013. Pic: Underwire.

Trayner added: “It has always been hard to promote emerging talent but of course, with less money being put into the arts it’s extra tough right now. Through our industry events we aim to give filmmakers something that they can use to progress their career, be it a piece of information, some inspiration or a connection that they make with someone else.”

Filmmakers will also be competing for 10 awards including the prestigious BFI Future Film Award.

Trayner said: “All of our awards are focused on helping filmmakers within the real world of working in film. Each of our awards partners generously offer prizes to equip the winning filmmakers to take the next step.”

The festival will run from 19 to 23 November, tickets can be purchased here.

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