The Australian Film Festival returns
in March 2012 (7-17) for its third year screening the best new and classic Australian
films. The Festival celebrates everything Australian about film with the opening
(07 March) and closing nights film and party (17 March), a jam-packed food and
film street fair day (11 March), an outdoor movie under the stars on the sands
at Clovelly Beach (10 March) and much more.
Iconic art deco
Cinema, the Randwick Ritz plays home to the Festival with ten days of screenings.
Activities and films are also taking place at Coogee, Clovelly Beach, Metro Screen
and Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Festival director
Barry Watterson says, 'The Australian Film Festival is not just about the screening
of films and the spotting of great Australian film stars; it's also about engaging
audiences with fabulous, unique events. The 3rd festival will see a growth in
the Australian film audience base but also see the growth of film related events.
There are some great surprises and a lot of fun at the Australian Film Festival
- your film festival.'
Catch the Sydney premiere of New York
International Film Festival award winning documentary More4Me by Australian Writer/Director
Lincoln Fenner at the Australian Film Festival. Check in to see some of the new
wave of Australian film stars Toby Schmitz and Gracie Otto star in pop culture
flick LBF by talented Aussie filmmaker Alex Munt.
One of Sydney's
most tranquil spots, Clovelly Beach will transform to a seaside cinema on March
10 for the screening of the most popular Aussie flick in years, Red Dog (2011)
starring Rachel Taylor and Josh Lucas. Bring your swimmers, a picnic dinner and
your family for a night of film under the stars at the best cinema spot in Australia
- Clovelly Beach.
Come and enjoy the Spot Food & Film Festival
(March 11) with streets surrounding the Ritz Cinema closed off to make way for
a huge street film, food and wine fair with loads of entertainment perfect for
big and small kids. You'll even have the chance to spot the stars at the Australian
Film Walk of Fame where a new Australian industry legend will be inducted - you
have to be there to find out who! Previous greats include Jack Thompson, Gary
Sweet, Claudia Karvan, Steve Bisley and Michael Caton.
For
the first time the Festival has teamed up with the Australian Writers Guild (AWG)
to present the FutureFilm Screenplay Competition (March 13), a celebration of
of Australian screenwriting and performance with a $1000 cash prize and inclusion
in AWG's Pathways program up for grabs. A competition for emerging writers from
across Australia, five lucky talents will have their script picked and performed
by actors of their choice in front of a live audience and judged by heavyweight
filmmakers, Pip Karmel, Alice Bell and Blake Ayshford.
A must
see for all film buffs will be the exclusive celebration of the Australian Directors
Guild's (ADG) 30th Birthday. Partnering up with the AFF on March 14, people of
Sydney will be able to witness a panel of top Australian directors come together
and discuss their life in film and direction.
Fun for the whole
family, the AFF showcases films where the major creative talent is Australian,
open to any medium. Whether it is a feature, short film or television programme,
the AFF continues to expose Australia's current and emerging creative flair.
The
Festival is also geared to industry through a series of awards, workshops and
educational programs to be announced in the coming weeks. Laying the foundation
of success in 2010/11, The Australian Film Festival's is back and bigger and better
than ever and mustn't be missed. For more information head to www.australianfilmfestival.com.au
DATES: 7th - 17th March 2012
BOOKING: http:///www.RitzCinema.com.au
or (02) 9399 5722
WEB: www.australianfilmfestival.com.au