Paulo@undercurrents.org

GOING BEYOND TV IN SWANSEA
In London, a decade ago, 4 filmmakers got bored of watching mundane television and formed a plan to change things. Today that plan has developed into Undercurrents- an award winning media charity and BEYONDTV -an inspiring international video festival.

Held annually in Swansea, South Wales since 2000, BEYONDTV festival has been showing the sort of inspiring films we never get to see on telly. One of the films lined up for this years festival in November include ‘World Naked Bike Ride’. But if you don’t fancy watching the wobbling flesh of hundreds of people cycling through London then check out how the Cuban economy actually thrived when the oil stop flowing into their island. Both films have an underlying message about climate change but done in very interesting and (in the case of the bike ride) even cheeky ways.

Co- founder of BEYONDTV festival, Helen Iles has a clear vision for the festival
‘Some of the problems with much of the dismal television output is the fact that the media is dominated by white-middle-aged men. So what may interest that particular section of the population may not be relevant to the rest of us. Film is the most powerful tool of communication today yet only 7% of women are directors. It’s obvious that audiences are missing out on something.’

BEYONDTV festival is aiming to readjust the balance and one of the evenings will be dedicated to promoting local and international female directors. The two women who made ‘Sisters in Law’ which tells the story of female judges in patriarchal Cameroon will be hosting a Q&A. Other films by women include Hit Music about girl punk and hip-hop bands in Sweden.

All good festivals need a premier and at BEYONDTV you will get to see a political thriller even before it is released in the USA. ‘This Revolution’ captures the mood of the nation under the regime of G.W Bush and according to Hollywood Reporter magazine "It's the kind of engaged, political filmmaking that is rarely seen today, and it's a welcome and powerful addition to the canon."
Three of the main actors were even arrested during filming when police mistook actors for protesters.

Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the Swansea BEYONDTV festival aims to put the festival back into the film screenings and is hosted by the radical media charity, Undercurrents. A week of short films, discussions, political animations, documentaries, music and media workshops will brighten up a wet November. Add lesbian stand up, discussions on peak oil, animal rights, nuclear weapons, Eco-Villages and Palestine it will guaranteed that many a neuron will be fired.

Stalls of radical books, postcards, videos and DVD will be open throughout the festival. The Dylan Thomas Centre on the marina may have a fully licensed bar throughout BEYONDTV but you won’t be drinking from the mainstream at this festival.

For tickets or a programme please call 01792 455900 or click www.undercurrents.org/beyondtv

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