Film Festival

Interview: Focus on Ability Short Film Festival ambassador Paula Duncan on the importance of inclusivity

For the 16th consecutive year, NOVA Employment proudly presents the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival, a vibrant festival which invites filmmakers to celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities, sharing powerful stories that can captivate audiences around the globe. This year has been nothing short of spectacular, with generous sponsors contributing over $100,000 in…

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The 2024 Taiwan Film Festival announces longest-ever run for Australia

The Longest-Running Ever! The Taiwan Film Festival in Australia is Back for its 7th Edition, Traveling to Six Cities from July to September 2024! The 7th Taiwan Film Festival in Australia will take place from July 25th to September 14th, spanning six cities: Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, and, for the first time, Adelaide. With…

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Sting is an enjoyably camp horror effort that backs its gross effects with some emotional heft: Gold Coast Film Festival Review

Given the ambition he showed with his Mad Max-meets-Dawn of the Dead B-grade genre piece Wyrmwood (and its respective sequel), it makes sense that Australian director Kiah Roache-Turner would continue his genre mash-ups for his follow-up.  What proves surprising, however, is that for Sting, an ode to the creature feature (and, fittingly, Australia’s fear of…

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Brisbane International Film Festival unveils full program, including the Australian premiere of Next Goal Wins

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF), presented by MINI, has announced its 2023 program with an incredible line-up of Queensland and Australian premiere features, with Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, starring Michael Fassbender, serving as the Australian premiere and Closing Night event. BIFF’s program is further brimming with Queensland premieres from highly acclaimed and visionary…

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Brisbane International Film Festival announces first wave of Queensland premiere titles

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF), presented by MINI, has announced its first wave of preview titles ahead of its program launch, including its Opening Night Gala event premiere. Set to take place from October 26 to November 5 at selected Dendy, Reading and Five Star cinema locations across Brisbane, the full program will be…

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Sydney Film Festival postponed until November 2021

In light of the Sydney lockdown extension announced by the NSW Government on 28 July, Sydney Film Festival will postpone the 68th edition of the Festival until 3rd-14th November, 2021. “Sydney Film Festival looks forward to returning to cinemas for a COVID-safe event in November, when we’ll come together to celebrate the films we love,…

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German Film Festival Interview: I’m Your Man writer/director Maria Schrader on subverting the expected narrative

With the German Film Festival currently underway across all major Australian cities (even Melbourne is getting an extended season), our own Peter Gray was fortunate enough to sit in on a roundtable event with writer/director Maria Schrader about her comedic and contemplative feature I’m Your Man (read our review here), where she discussed the unique…

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German Film Festival Review: I’m Your Man provides comedy and contemplation in equal measure

Given both our fascination and reliance on the support of technology, it only makes sense that the relationship between man and machine is one oft explored throughout the annals of cinema.  From John Connor’s correlation with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator to Joaquin Phoenix’s obsession with Scarlett Johansson’s voiced AI in Her, so often are these links…

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German Film Festival Review: The Audition presents a wavering narrative grounded by revelatory performances

If there’s one thing that’s concrete in the rather contradictory personality of The Audition‘s focal character – Nina Hoss‘s Anna – it’s that music is her only unwavering interest. Scenes of her championing a young musical student – a mentality that soon graduates to near chastising – showcase her evident passion for the art of…

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SXSW Film Review: The Feast delights in both metaphorical and mythical terror

One of those films that has a log line that feels all too familiar, Lee Haven Jones‘s The Feast presents itself as a supernaturally inclined horror film on the surface, only to gradually morph into an allegory of sorts that runs deeper than the film’s initial mentality would have you believe. Set in a secluded,…

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Melbourne International Film Festival Review: Black Bear is a chaotic, relentless experience grounded by a mesmerising Aubrey Plaza

There are some films you just can’t quite pick. As much as Lawrence Michael Levine‘s Black Bear stays relatively true to its basic plot logline – “A filmmaker at a creative impasse seeks solace from her tumultuous past at a rural retreat, only to find that the woods summon her inner demons in intense and…

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Melbourne International Film Festival launch their 2020 program – MIFF 68 ½

In a bid to maintain the state of cinema and reimagine the festival mind-frame, the Melbourne International Film Festival has launch MIFF 68½, an online curated program that’ll allow home-bound Melburnians the chance to experience the festival’s intended 2020 line-up. Running from the 6th-23rd August 2020, MIFF 68½ will showcase 113 films across its schedule –…

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MIFF introduce Digital Film Festival 68½

In the face of the global disruption to the entertainment market, the film industry is finding new and innovative ways to keep cinema enthusiasts connected, and today the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) announced MIFF 68½ – a reimagined celebration of film online. Following the festival’s cancellation, MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar and his team…

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The Third American Essentials Film Festival announces its packed program

The American Essentials Film Festival will celebrate its third outing from 8 May across Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, exclusively at Palace Cinemas. The festival will look to present twenty-two of the best contemporary American independent films in honour of L.A. The festival will be presented by Discover Los Angeles in association with American Airlines. The…

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Tropfest has been resurrected and will return in 2016

The world’s largest short film festival, Tropfest, was set for this week, but was cancelled earlier in November because of mishandling of funds. But now, after aid from CGU insurance, the festival will return for its 24th year on Sunday 14th of February 2016, in Centennial Parklands, Sydney. John Polson, founder and festival director of…

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Queensland Film Festival Announced

July 2015 is set to be a big month for film aficionados in Brisbane, with the inaugural Queensland Film Festival (QFF) set to run at the New Farm Six Cinemas from July 24 to 26. An annual international film festival championing excellence and variety in cinema, QFF will screen a dozen feature films and supporting…

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Human Rights Arts & Film Festival Announces Highlights for 2015 Program!

The 8th Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) has just announced a selection of highlights for its 2015 program. The highlights form part of an innovative program that seeks to inform, engage, inspire and drive conversation on human rights issues through its creative choice of films, arts, and forums. And given that it’s in…

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SXSW Announce Feature Film Lineup for 2015 Festival

South By Southwest (SXSW) have finally announced their film lineup for 2015 – something that all cinephiles have been awaiting anxiously. The festival – which is held in Austin, Texas from March 13 – 21 – is to show 145 features from emerging directors, master filmmakers, and unknown auteurs of our present day. “SXSW is…

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Australia to receive a Pixar Film Festival in 2015

Do you hold Toy Story close to your heart? Did Finding Nemo make you realise the importance of family? In February 2015, Disney Pixar presents its first ever Disney Pixar Film Festival, exclusive to Event Cinemas, Greater Union, Birch Caroll & Coyle and Village cinemas. The film festival will be running over 5 consecutive weekends from…

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9th Possible Worlds US & Canadian Film Festival program announced

The Possible Worlds Film Festival is coming back in 2014, and this year’s program looks better than ever! Celebrating its ninth year, the Festival presents an incredible selection of the best new independent films from the US and Canada. The Festival is presented by Cosmos Tours and run by non-profit The Festivalists. This year’s Festival…

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Film Review: Rurouni Kenshin, 16th Japanese Film Festival – Event Cinemas George Street

The live action adaptation of popular manga series Rurouni Kenshin (aka Samurai X) has proven itself a box office hit in Japan and it seems news travels fast, with original and encore sessions at the 16th Japanese Film Festival screenings selling out. A 45 minute delay caused by technical issues did little to deter an eager crowd, who lined…

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