Underdog Film Fest will become Logan’s first independent film festival which has been developed in consultation with established local filmmakers, film teachers, tertiary institutions, arts, and community organisations.
In February this year, over 100 guests were welcomed to the inaugural Season Launch event at the Kingston Butter Factory.
The Logan Community, local filmmakers, and Underdog Film Fest stakeholders gathered to network, hear the committee’s goals and mission for the festival, and giving people a taste of what to expect in September.
“When the concept of a home-grown film fest was first brought to me two years ago, I knew this was something our city needed,” said Creative Director Ali Strachan.
“Despite this, others questioned the viability of the idea; was the film fest market already too saturated?
“The market research at the time (2021) showed there were ninety other film festivals in Queensland, with around fifty-two of those running in council areas neighbouring our city of Logan.
“Rather than listen to the naysayers, we listened to our community.”
The team at Underdog Film Fest will host their event on September 21 this year and will showcase many short films in categories such as documentary, First Nations, animation, made in Logan and more.
“Underdog Film Fest’s vision became about showcasing radically authentic and relatable stories that truly reflect the voice of our community and the greater population of Australia,” said Ali Strachan.
“Films are a powerful tool for change, and the democratisation built into the festival model invites submissions not based solely on perceived market value. Instead, film festivals encourage a diversity of perspectives, supporting innovation in storytelling craft without a focus on the big budgets or celebrity A-listers.
“In other words, it’s all about the art, the craft and how we reach hearts and minds.
“Effective film festivals also act as a bridge between filmmakers, audiences, and the industry. They provide opportunities for both emerging and established filmmakers to share the same screen – championing new voices and fresh content.
“They create meeting places for filmmakers to develop networks for future success and they elevate film as an artform by inviting dialogue around the filmmaking process.
“We know films are a powerful tool for change, they bring people together, and we can’t wait to share them with Logan audiences.”
More information can be found at Underdog Film Fest
