Programme

The films we programmed cover topics of identity and culture through different genres and voices. They are:

Don’t Look At The Finger (2017) Dir. Hetain Patel

The film follows a ceremonial ‘fight’ between a man and a woman in the grand architectural setting of a church. The way the characters communicate is a feat of choreography that combines Kung Fu with signed language to express a ritualistic coming together.

What’s in A Name (2020) Dir. Runyararo Mapfumo

A handful of Brits explore the challenges they’ve encountered with their non-Western names.

The Foreigners (2020) Dir. Lori Yang

Four international students with East Asian backgrounds try to figure out their identity.

as british as a watermelon (2021) Dir. Mandla Rae

Through the exploration of the director’s fragmented LGBTQ asylum and childhood migration memories, this film asks powerful questions about belonging, trauma and forgiveness.

Our short poetry film will follow themes of cultural expression within the migrant experience. Created by the main curatorial collective behind B.O.W!, our film will be composed of excerpts from different poems and short stories hailing from each of the collective’s individual cultures.

Moving image submissions such as short films, documentaries, music, and fashion videos from UAL students and young artists across UAL will also be screened, following the films cited above.

After the screening, attendees will be welcomed to a little world food street market, with small plates coming from several different countries, and accepting donations for different charities supporting migrants in the UK. This will be a time for guests to mingle, interact, and network with one another while enjoying some food, drinks, and music.

All in all, our event aims at offering a space for people to explore and celebrate different migration stories and cultures; in a safe, celebratory, and creative environment.

Event name: ‘Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe’ (‘B.O.W!’)

Event location: London College of Communication, Lecture Theatre C and Lower Gallery

Event date and time: January 31st, 2:30pm-8pm

Event programme and audience journey: 

– 2:30-3pm: the audience is welcomed into the venue and checked in by the front of house staff. Upon their entrance, the attendees will be given wristbands that will grant them access to all the event’s spaces and activities;

– 3pm: the audience is directed toward the exhibition space (Lower Gallery), where the installations and the screening space are set up;

– 3:45pm: the zine-making workshop with Fiona Quadri starts. Attendees are invited to join but, in case they prefer to keep looking at the exhibition space, this will still be open until the end of the workshop;

– 5:15pm: the workshop ends and the audience is welcomed into the screening space (Lecture Theatre C) to view four films selected and programmed by our group, together with our short poetry film and a selection of submissions from UAL students:

Don’t Look At The Finger (2017) Dir. Hetain Patel
What’s in A Name (2020) Dir. Runyararo Mapfumo
The Foreigners (2020) Dir. Lori Yang
As British as a Watermelon (2021) Dir. Mandla Rae

– 6:30-45pm: the screenings end and the audience is welcomed into the world food street market area, where they will be able to enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks, while chatting, networking, and getting to know each other;

– 8pm: the event ends and the audience is invited to leave the building.