UnderWire Festival was launched in 2010 with the belief that women working in the UK film industry needed more encouragement and a bigger platform for their work. The fact remains that women still make up a small proportion of film creatives, and UnderWire looks to recognise the best short work made by women across a range of crafts.

With awards for Best Director, Best Producer, Best Writer, Best Editor, Best Cinematographer, Best Composer, Best Actor, Best Sound Designer and Best Film Journalist, the festival hopes to move us towards a more gender balanced industry. There is also the XX Award which is open to both female and male directors whose films have interesting female characters at their centre. This, we believe, will benefit everyone by creating a diversity of perspectives, stories and experiences for audiences.

I co-founded UnderWire in 2010 with Gabriella Apicella, and was joined by Helen Jack as co-director for the 2011 festival. 2012 saw the team grow substantially, with a fantastic and energetic volunteer team delivering the festival each year.

“UnderWire will provide a much needed impetus to take a look at what new female voices in film can do.  I’m really looking forward to watching the talent emerge.” Rebecca O’Brien

UnderWire partners include Women in Film and Television, Euroscript, Kodak, VET, Object, Shooting People, Little White Lies, Imagem, Directors UK, Star Now and Audio Network.

Patrons include Kat Banyard, Samm Haillay, Kim Longinotto, Laura Mulvey, Nira Park and Rebecca O’Brien.

Check out the website www.underwirefestival.com for more information.