In the lead up to the Port Adelaide Diversity & Inclusion Film Festival (PADI) hitting screens this August, Glam Adelaide caught up with award winning film writer/director and event organiser Yogi Devgan to find out more.
“The Australian population is a mix of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ and people with disabilities, so the PADI festival encourages people from these backgrounds to come together under one roof to celebrate and be a part of a new society and culture,” said Yogi.
Supported by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, the festival aims to start the conversation on screen by providing an outlet for expression and a greater representation of our society.
“I come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background (CALD), and I have found it challenging to find support as a filmmaker. There is still work that needs to be done to get equality in the film industry.
“The more we talk about diversity and inclusion, the more awareness and attention will be given to these subjects to hopefully help create a more inclusive society.”
The sky is the limit for aspiring writers and directors looking to explore subject matter that does not receive as much airtime.
PADI Film Festival invites participants to submit their original short films which reference people from a minority, or those who are culturally diverse to provide an equal opportunity to showcase their work.
Yogi hopes by hosting the festival, it will also open doors for viewers who might not normally attend this type of event or have much exposure to such ideas.
“What you might find is that experiencing different content might just be an adventure you don’t want to miss.
“We all live in this nation together, so we each have an important role to play to create peace, no matter how different each member may be,” Yogi said.
The festival also marks what Yogi sees as a step in the right direction for the community.
“We have different events for each community and their celebrations, but we are still missing celebrating together as one. This festival is a small initiative to remind us to keep on working towards a better future together, and I thank Claire Boan, Mayor of PAE for listening to my concerns and giving me support and encouragement to launch this festival.
“Cinema is a powerful tool for experiencing diverse ideas; this film festival lifts this idea even further and has become a vehicle for social change – The PADIFF is a place where diverse voices are building a better future for all.”
The PADI Film Festival will be held on Friday 26 August at the Odeon Semaphore Theatre.
Tickets on sale now and can be purchased here.
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