Alien Invasion is a project resulting in the production of a series of short films, all written, directed and edited by young Londoners from immigrant communities. The films all explore issues of immigration and contemporary identity and were conceived and shot in just one week. They were premiered at the Mile End Genesis cinema on Thursday 11th August 2005. The screening was exactly 100 years to the day that the Aliens Act was passed.

The Aliens Act (1905) was the first formal legislation restricting immigration to the UK (in an attempt to curb Jewish settlement in the East End). It was therefore a fitting focus for the project. The project involved eleven young people from a wide range of faiths and backgrounds. The films can be viewed at www.alien.xlternative.com.

This project was organised by CommunitySpeak, an organisation whose mission is to bridge the communication divide through media, workshops and training. Using photography, video and other media, its goal is to give a voice to those who find themselves marginalised or whose voice is not given a space to be heard.

Project type

• Immigration & asylum

Region

• London