Undercurrents: Press Release Paul O’Connor 01792 45500/07973 298359

TASMANIAN PRIASES BRITISH VIDEO ACTIVIST FESTIVAL AN INSPIRATION.
800 people were enthralled by locally and internationally produced films during the annual BEYONDTV festival in Swansea, Britain. Hosted by award winning media charity undercurrents, the two day festival at the weekend attracted people from all over Wales, Scotland and England. One filmmaker even traveled from Tasmania to screen her latest movie about logging in Australia.

The Patti Pavilion was alit with visuals screened from six video projectors with colourful flags flying and fairground animals decorating the venue.

Locally made films included Life before Death- a Gower woman’s exploration of her own mother’s struggle with cancer, Get up Sit down!- a students experience of Swansea university closures and also a film about how Welsh people withheld their taxes in protest against the Iraq war.

Heidi Douglas from Hobart, Tasmania presented the work of The Wilderness Society, Australia's largest community-based, conservation organization. Heidi’s film displayed the beauty of the virgin rainforest, from the strangest animals such as the Tasmanian devil to the largest old growth trees. Her film also shows shocking scenes of destruction during the logging work as old growth trees are turned into woodchip.

Heidi Douglas said today-
‘Attending the BeyondTv festival has been a fantastic experience. Meeting other like minded filmmakers, as well as many friendly Swansea locals, has been a very rewarding experience. Tasmania sometimes feels very isolated, so it is great to get inspired by other people and places. It is also invaluable to have a forum like Beyond TV film festival to showcase messages from far flung places linking communities together.’

Notes to Editors
High quality images of the festival are available for publication.
For further details of the festival www.undercurrents.org/beyondtv
For interviews or photos please call Paul on 07973 298359