An award-winning film by a pair of University of Bedfordshire postgraduates will feature at over 20 festivals this year.
Killing My Girl, by MA Creative Digital Film Production students Tasos Giapoutzis and Michael Carter, tells the story of a London-based Asian woman who is forced by her family to undertake sex-selective abortion against her will.
The 12-minute film has been shown across the world and received the Director’s Choice Award from the Black Maria Film Festival, as well as winning at the International Euro Film Festival in Malaga.
Tasos said: “When I arrived at the University I already knew I wanted to make films but I had no formal knowledge on film-making whatsoever.
“On this aspect, the University played the role of the parent to me. It held my hands and showed me how to make my first steps, making sure I am on the right track.”
The postgraduate auctioned a proposal for a film festival in Luton, he was given the green light in December by the Vice Chancellors Student Experience Projects (STEPS) fund.
The festival is set to launch later this year.
Tasos added: “Organising an international short film festival in Luton is not just important for me personally, but for the whole community of Luton.
“It is a cultural event missing from the town and I am sure people will embrace it.
“I find the Steps programme extremely useful both for staff and students of the University. Initiatives as such give extra motivation to people to be more creative and active.”