In which we profile the Film Festivals screening across the country in October…
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY (CLASSICS) | OCT 3 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CANBERRA | OCT 14 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 21 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
PERTH | OCT 28 – NOV 1 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
FREMANTLE | OCT 29 – NOV 1 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
ADELAIDE | OCT 30 – NOV 8 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
Over 50 films grace the mighty Japanese Film Festival in 2015 (its 19th year). The programme includes classics (Kurosawa’s Ran based on King Lear), war & samurai films (grizzly war epic Fires on the Plain from the writer of Ichi the Killer), new anime (Patema Inverted), comedy (jellyfish-obsessed Princess Jellyfish), cult (The Ninja War of Torakage), and tons more.
Comes to Sydney, Parramatta and Melbourne in November.
ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL
ADELAIDE | OCT 15 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
Adelaide’s biennial celebration of Australian and international screen culture with a massive program of screenings, forums and special events. The 2015 line-up has over 180 films including Kate Winslet-starring The Dressmaker, Todd Haynes’ Patricia Highsmith biopic Carol (starring Cate Blanchett), and bizarre comedy The Lobster.
Says the festival: “In its eleventh year, the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival event again promises something for everyone, promising the best of local, Australian and internationally produced films, with an eclectic mix of cinema, television, art and the moving image – plus the one night only reunion of Festival ambassadors and screen favourites, the duelling Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, as they host the Ultimate Quiz night.”
BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 27 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
MELBOURNE | OCT 28 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
ADELAIDE | OCT 28 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
PERTH | OCT 28 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CANBERRA | OCT 29 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 29 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BYRON BAY | OCT 29 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
21 newbies and 10 classics from the motherland. Highlights include the premiere of Saoirse Ronan romance Brooklyn, Youth starring Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel, Werner Herzog’s Queen of the Desert, and the poster child of cheeky British rom-com charm Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Coming to Canberra, Melbourne and Perth in November.
RUSSIAN RESURRECTION FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 23 – NOV 4 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 28 – NOV 4 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
The largest festival of Russian cinema anywhere in the world (except Russia) – with 18 new films. Says the festival: “As always we feature the best of the Russian box office (the monumental historical epic that places women at the front and centre of the frontline with Battalion; the remarkable geological adventure Territory and the much-loved New Year’s Eve comedy omnibus, Yolki 1914). There are romantic comedies, powerful dramas, psychological thrillers, arthouse gems, family friendly fare and a few high quality children’s animated tales.”
Coming to Canberra, Melbourne and Perth in November.
JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 28 – NOV 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
PERTH | OCT 31 – NOV 8 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
The full line-up is to be announced in a few days – check again here. Coming to Melbourne and Brisbane in November.
ANTENNA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 13 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
Antenna’s international documentary line-up offers “a program that is both intelligent and diverse; one that challenges conceptions and conventions of the world around us.” Highlights include The Chimpanzee Complex, Hot Docs-winning Exotica Erotica Etc, detached foot mystery Finders Keeper and rugby doc The Ground We Won.
22nd GREEK FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 14 – NOV 1 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
MELBOURNE | OCT 14 – NOV 1 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CANBERRA | OCT 16 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 21 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
A massive line-up of feature, documentary and short films, including the premiere of Australian culture-clash rom-com Alex & Eve.
Coming to Adelaide in November.
IRANIAN FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA
ADELAIDE | OCT 9 – 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
SYDNEY | OCT 15 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CANBERRA | OCT 17 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 22 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
MELBOURNE | OCT 29 – NOV 2 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
The IFFA aims to “use the film medium to entertain and educate audiences, to introduce Iranian culture to other Australians, fostering greater cultural awareness.” The 11 film line-up includes the award-winning thriller Melbourne.
TRAVELLING FILM FESTIVAL
BUNDABERG | OCT 9 – 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
TOOWOOMBA | OCT 9 – 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
MACKAY | OCT 16 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
NAMBUCCA HEADS | OCT 22 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
PORT MACQUARIE | OCT 23 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CAIRNS | OCT 30 – NOV 3 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
An extension of the Sydney Film Festival, the Travelling Film Festival aiming to “bring world cinema to regional Australia”. 2015’s last stops are Rockhampton and Townsville in November.
ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | SEPT 15 – OCT 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
MELBOURNE | SEPT 16 – OCT 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
ADELAIDE | SEPT 17 – OCT 7 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
CANBERRA | SEPT 22 – OCT 11 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
PERTH | SEPT 24 – OCT 14 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
BRISBANE | OCT 1 – 18 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
HOBART | OCT 15 – 21 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
Over 30 Italian films are screening across the country with the 2015 Italian Film Fest. Highlights include the absolute gem of a classic, Bertolucci’s The Conformist, the nostalgic Latin Lover, Palme d’Or-nominated Mia Madre and “fairy tale for adults” Tale of Tales (from the director of Gomorrah).
DUNGOG FESTIVAL
DUNGOG | OCT 22 – 25 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
A feast of contemporary Australian and international film, food and wine from the Hunter region, live music, and farmers markets. Film line-up includes Kiwi horror-comedy Deathgasm, Guatemalan drama Ixcanul and political/media doc Best of Enemies.
SCIFI FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 31 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
One day sci-fi-athon at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, showing independent sci-fi shorts and features.
SINGAPORE FILM FESTIVAL
PERTH | OCT 24 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
SYDNEY | OCT 31 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
A day of screenings in Perth and Sydney. Coming to Canberra in November.
SERBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
SYDNEY | OCT 29 – NOV 8 | FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS
Selection of Serbian movies designed to “encourage, promote and exhibit Serbian art forms”. Coming to Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Fremantle in November.
