Logan’s inaugural film festival, Underdog Film Fest accepted 125 submissions from entrants Australia-wide in its debut festival season. The official selection of finalists was announced on September 1, 2024.
Among the entrants were submissions from Logan filmmakers Abdul Mateen, Elise Lamb, Anthony Coleman, Hugh Whitehouse and Darryl Cook. Two Logan high school students also submitted films to the festival.
Canterbury College student Riley Burton is a competitive swimmer with a passion for filmmaking. His documentary, Stroke By Stroke – A Journey Through the Swimming Life explores the choices and the work required to become an elite athlete. “Through the lens of my film, I aim to capture the physical and mental challenges faced by athletes in their quest for victory, revealing the profound human spirit that drives us forward against all odds,” explained Riley.
Another submission, Leaves, is a coming-of-age film by Marsden State High School student Xavier Stephen Eliot. It explores the themes of identity and culture using symbolism. Abdul Mateen is a filmmaker born in the Middle East to South Asian parents who says leverages the craft of film to explore untold perspectives and illuminate the first-generation immigrant and diasporic experience. His submission, Welcome to the Esh Life is filmed and set in Logan.
In this story, Rayan, a sixteen-year-old South Asian boy has a chance encounter with a group of Eshays, leading to an unlikely companionship that teaches him a new way of life and its consequences. “We’re thrilled at the quality of local entries,” said Underdog Film Fest committee member, Louise Wheatley. “This is what the festival is all about, being able to provide a platform to recognise and showcase these stories at industry scale.”
Each film is assessed by a professional panel of diverse award-winning filmmakers, including Douglas Watkin, Mandy Lake, Katrina Irawati and Logan local, Lark Lee. Filmmakers and cinephiles alike are invited to attend the festival and afterparty at the Kingston Butter Factory on 21 September 2024.
Tickets for the festival screening and VIP After Party are available now: https://bit.ly/underdog-film-fest
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