UOWD’s Film Festival 2024: Showcasing Young Filmmakers' Creativity and Innovation

Wednesday, 11 December, 2024

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) Film Festival 2024 brought together an incredible array of talent and creativity, celebrating the art of storytelling through short films and advertising shorts. Organised by the UOWD Media Team, this year’s theme “Past, Present, Future” challenged participants to explore time and its impact in innovative and thought-provoking ways, resulting in a captivating showcase of diverse narratives and fresh perspectives.

This year’s submissions demonstrated a remarkable range of perspectives and approaches, from gripping psychological dramas to bite-sized advertising shorts that captivated audiences in under a minute. The winners of each category exemplified the creativity, technical skill, and emotional depth that made this year’s event a standout.

The Winners

Short Films

• 1^st Place: Live Life
  By Muneer Mohamed, Filix Rajan, and Rahim Mngwaya
  Live Life delves into the psyche of Roy, a man haunted by the emotional fallout of his past misdeeds. Set against a solitary beach, the film uses powerful metaphors to explore themes of guilt and redemption. Its thought-provoking, ambiguous ending left audiences contemplating Roy's journey long after the credits rolled.
• 2^nd Place: Overthink
  By Danata Iamadaeva, Meerale Maneka, Dinara Iamadaeva, and Shreya Punjabi
  A horror-drama that dives deep into the mental turmoil of Shirley, a student grappling with academic pressure and past trauma. Overthink masterfully weaves paranoia and betrayal into a suspenseful narrative, capped off with an unsettling post-credits twist that left viewers questioning reality and trust.
• 3^rd Place: Who’s the Real Culprit
  By BK Darshan and Srikanth BS
  This thought-provoking short film challenges perceptions, revealing how things in life aren’t always as they seem. It explores the far-reaching effects of our choices, showing how they can shape others' lives in both positive and negative ways. Ultimately, its message of good intentions and doing the right thing shines through.

Advertising Shorts

• 1^st Place: Time
  By Ashwin Menon
  Time creatively told the story of a watch brand while reflecting on the profound concept of time itself—all in under 60 seconds. This category’s strict time constraints make storytelling especially challenging, yet Ashwin Menon managed to captivate viewers with a perfect blend of creativity and efficiency.
• 2^nd Place: The Stop
  By Aditya Kadhi
  This advertising short impressed with its creativity and polished production, showcasing football shoes in a way that resonated with its target audience. The ad’s direct storytelling and relatable approach made it both impactful and memorable.

A Platform for Aspiring Filmmakers

The festival celebrated the spirit of collaboration and creativity among student filmmakers, showcasing their ability to transform ideas into cinematic experiences. As Dr Michael Mallory, Director of Media, noted:

“The Film Festival is a way for us to encourage aspiring filmmakers to share their creativity and passion for filmmaking with an audience of industry experts, academics, and, perhaps most importantly, other aspiring filmmakers.”

Adding to this, Prof Feras Hamza, Head of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health, highlighted the cultural impact of the event:
“Motion picture is arguably the most powerful medium for artistic expression. UOWD’s Media Department is proud to channel the talents of local and regional aspiring filmmakers, supporting Dubai’s strategic vision as a hub for media talent and production.”

This year’s festival not only provided a platform for emerging filmmakers but also strengthened UOWD’s commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation in media. Reflecting on the event, Roaa Ataya, Faculty Support Officer and Project Manager for the Film Festival, shared:

"This year’s festival showcased an even wider variety of films and creative perspectives. It’s been exciting to see the creativity on display, and we’re already looking forward to what next year will bring."

Looking Ahead

The UOWD Film Festival continues to grow as a cornerstone of artistic expression, encouraging students to explore their passions and share their voices with the world. With every edition, the festival proves that the future of filmmaking lies in the hands of bold, innovative storytellers.

Interested in honing your creative skills and becoming a part of Dubai’s thriving media landscape? Explore UOWD’s undergraduate and postgraduate Media & Design programs and turn your passion into a profession.