The Illawarra Ukulele Club

MIGHTY UKE, directed by Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher, will have its Sydney premiere at Possible Worlds, Sydney’s 5th Canadian Film Festival (www.possibleworlds.net.au).

The “people’s instrument” is inspiring a new generation of musicians… This documentary explores the current revival of the Ukulele around the world. Join the Ukulele revolution!

To check out the trailer, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyiwoG4Is_I

The film will screen Tuesday 3rd August at Seymour Centre at 6:30pm. Ukulele chanteuse Rosie Catalano will be performing on the night, and audience members are encouraged to bring their ukuleles for impromptu strum-alongs. The event will also include free drinks, giveaways and ukulele displays courtesy of The Guitar Factory.

“I was inspired to play at Possible Worlds after seeing Amanda Palmer play her ukulele ninja gig on the steps of the Sydney Opera House,” explains Rosie Catalano. “There's something so much un-pretentious about someone whipping out a uke as opposed to a guitar or piano, and it felt like a real bonding session.”

“It's one of those instruments where you see someone having fun playing it and you think, "hey, I could do that!". I've written a song on the uke especially for the Canadian Film Festival,” says Rosie. “It's incredibly silly and is based on a trip to Canada that I went on last year, and I'm really hoping any uke maestros in the audience don't judge me too harshly!”

Ukuleles top the charts in Japan, inspire California popsters and are adopted by Swedish punks, Emo kids and classical composers alike. Forget the grass skirts, slide guitar and kitschy lyrics: the Hawaiian novelty instrument – it is not a toy! – is staging a comeback.

Mighty Uke is a hip and snappy documentary travels the world to discover why so many musicians are turning to the ukulele to express themselves and connect with each other. From the Redwoods of California to the gritty streets of New York, from swinging London to Tokyo’s highrise canyons, this is the unlikely story of a mighty musical comeback.

The Sydney premiere will takes place as part of Sydney’s 5th Canadian Film Festival, at Seymour Centre, Corner Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale. Tickets are $16.50 and can be purchased at www.seymourcentre.com or by calling 9351 7940.