How film festivals contribute to building a region’s cultural identity
Written by: Ali Strachan
Ali Strachan is the Creative Director of Underdog Film Fest and President of Logan arts NFPO, Assorted Grains Inc. Ali is also an arts copywriter who connects audiences with arts and creativity by harnessing the power of storytelling.
At the heart of film festival culture is the desire to inspire audiences with unique and compelling stories. But, they do so much more than that.
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. 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.
Geographically, the proximity of Logan to two of Southeast Queensland’s biggest cities (Brisbane and Gold Coast) is a blessing and a curse. We’re close enough to have access to the vibrancy and rich culture of each of the major epicentres where arts tourism thrives – but far enough away to make the trip costly, particularly during this cost-of-living crisis.
The population density makes investment in arts infrastructure, tourism and cultural entertainment a no-brainer in these cities, yet our sprawling suburban landscape, sandwiched between them, misses out far too often. And it’s not just our audiences who are feeling a pang of disappointment when searching for cultural events close by – but our creatives too. One thing our city is great at is exporting our talent to other regions.
So, rather than listen to the naysayers, we listened to our community.
Film festivals as a tool to explore culture and inspire connection
Erzi decides to become a professional musician, but his Mother’s history of rejection may ultimately pull them apart.
From the outset, we wanted to ensure this festival was developed with the community in mind. So, we started by discussions with various high school film and media teachers, practising filmmakers, arts organisations, community groups as well as neighbouring tertiary institutions. Our discussions revealed a strong desire for locally accessible and inclusive pathways into the industry.
The market research had already confirmed that around 18,000 locals would definitely submit a film to the festival. Plus, 2,000 were extremely interested in filmmaking guidance and 9,000 young people aged 8-18 would be extremely interested in mentoring (according to parents).
It confirmed that Logan’s rapidly growing, young and culturally diverse population] is thirsty for home-grown stories, as well as those that embody the character and cultural spirit of the region.
We knew then that this festival has a big job to do.
Reflecting the diversity and cultural spirit of Logan and the greater Australian population
Nate is twenty-three years old, living with Autism and discovering the horrors of the Gay dating scene in Sydney.
Like Logan, Australia is a multicultural country. When it comes to the big screen, preliminary research by the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network shows that films and TV series with First Nations and LGBTQIA+ characters are increasing. However, compared to the population benchmark, representation of people with disability, as well as people with some cultures, such as those with Asian backgrounds, still lags significantly.
The glitz and glamour of the red carpet associated with the silver screen should be accessible to everyone. But often, this feels like a distraction from the real issues and the important stories needing to be told.
So, 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.
Why film festival culture supports a region’s cultural coming of age
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.
When a film festival is embedded with the heart of the community in which it’s born, it has an opportunity to reflect stories that matter to these audiences. It’s about uniting them and making them feel seen, heard and acknowledged on the big screen.
Film transcends social, political and cultural differences. For a city like Logan, with a working-class population of young families and migrants, film might be the best possible tool to unite the community.
And film-lovers are discerning. They expect sophisticated, complex and courageous stories that don’t shy away from tough topics. By bringing them together to share the cinematic experience, we can move toward a place of ownership in our collective identity – one where we acknowledge the nuance and complexity of sharing this Land, this planet.
A musically gifted woman attempts to leave an abusive relationship with dire consequences.
Giving all filmmakers a voice is just the beginning
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.
Without local filmmakers, these valuable voices don’t get shared.
“Screen culture events that tap into communities of undiscovered and underrepresented talent create important pathways for our state’s future to include more unique screen voices”
– Screen Queensland CEO, Jacqui Feeney.
“Screen Queensland is proud to support the inaugural Underdog Film Fest in Logan and its mission to champion and showcase diverse screen practitioners.”
Help us champion more underdogs’ stories
Under the influence of drugs and peer pressure, Madison goes down a path that will change his life forever.
Underdog Film Fest is about courageous creativity and open-minded curiosity. It’s about creating safe spaces for radical authenticity. Places to tell stories that give audiences goosebumps, that challenge them, inspire them and facilitate new ways of seeing each other.
We know films are a powerful tool for change, they bring people together, and we can’t wait to share them with Logan audiences.
If you believe in the value of film as much as we do, please consider making a tax deductible donation to support the sustainability of this important cultural endeavour, and help our city come of age.
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