Editor

Europe’s only film festival devoted to Australian, New Zealand and South Africans ready to kick off in a week.

The London-based UpOverDownUnder Film Festival, now in its 4th year, has grown from a one-night short film competition to a week-long festival, with more than 3000 people passing through the festival doors last year.
This year’s UODU festival promises even more, with the short film competition preceded by a week of the best new features and shorts from the three countries, plus filmmaker workshops and networking events for new filmmakers.

Festival founder Vanessa Arden-Wood says the festival has grown beyond its niche market status to become a mainstream London festival, while still retaining its core goal of encouraging creative people to get filmmaking.

“UpOverDownUnder gives new filmmakers from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa the chance to have their work screened in London alongside major feature films and critically acclaimed shorts from their home countries. It also give them the chance to network with established industry figures and benefit from their experience,” she said.

“As the Oscars this year showed, the southern hemisphere has a growing presence on the world stage, and it is vital that young Antipodean and South African artists have a platform to develop their skills outside their native countries. UODU plays an important role in this.

“Thousands of Antipodeans and South Africans travel to the UK and Europe every year. Travel is renowned for getting the creative juices flowing and there is no better time or place to harness this artistic energy — and in the process get your foot in the film industry door — than in London. This year’s UODU Film Festival is dedicated to providing the support network and guidance needed to get people started.”