Underwire Festival

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Underwire presents short films made with women in key creative roles and recognises them by craft: directing, producing, screenwriting, editing, cinematography, sound design, composing, production design and animation, plus an Under 25 award, a Best Actor award and the XX Award for films with a strong female protagonist. Films directed by men are eligible when a woman heads one of the awarded departments or the lead character is a woman. Entries are UK or Republic of Ireland productions of up to 25 minutes, including student films, and the festival is BAFTA recognised.

Gabriella Apicella and Gemma Mitchell founded the festival in London in 2010. Alongside the screenings it runs Wired Women, an industry programme of discussions and workshops for new entrants to film. The last edition took place online and free of charge on 8–13 March 2022, with more than 150 short films in 17 programmes.

Country

United Kingdom (UK)

Awards and prizes

The Underwire Awards recognise the teamwork and skill behind short films in key production roles: Best Director, Best Producer, Best Writer, Best Editor, Best Cinematographer, Best Composer, Best Sound Designer, Best Actor, Best Production Designer, Best Animator, Under 25 (outstanding work by a female practitioner aged 15–25) and the XX Award (best onscreen female protagonist). Winners receive practical awards that provide professional development opportunities and support.

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