Well-known Australian film industry critic, producer and television personality, Margaret Pomeranz, will the guest of honour on opening night when the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival opens its doors in less than three weeks.
The 2017 program pays tribute to women in film, and so Australian film directors, actresses and writers including Sally Aitkin, Edwina Exton, Alicia Banit, Trish Lake, Megan Riakos, Sara West and Maya Stange, among others, will also be at the festival known as the Hollywood of the Outback.
Screen Queensland CEO, Tracey Vieira, highlighted the importance of this year’s festival theme in celebration of women in film when she launched the 2017 festival in Brisbane last month.
It’s a largely male dominated industry, where women make up over 51 per cent of the Australian population, but are underrepresented in the film industry, with females directing just 16 per cent of Australian feature films.
The festival’s creative director, Greg Dolgopolov, said the festival’s program featured over 30 films, 50 per cent of which are written, directed and/or star women in a prominent, independent role.
“We’ve specifically identified films that pass the Bechdel Test. During the festival we don’t just screen films” explained Dr Dolgopolov.
“We plan films, we talk about films, we find a common language and work together.
“In addition to this year’s programming, the festival will host a number of world premiers and Queensland premiers for films that deserve an audience as special as that found in Australia’s Outback Hollywood”.
The new Australian film, Thicker Than Water, will be the subject of a special screening during the festival, running from June 23 to July 1.
Telling the story of a young woman who struggles to maintain the unity of her family when D, (singer/songwriter Pete Murray in his acting debut), a recovering drug addict, returns from rehab, it’s one of a star-studded lineup of old and new films.
Attendees can go down memory lane with BMX Bandits, the film that introduced Nicole Kidman, watch Spin Out, a comedy romance celebrating the tradition of B&S balls, or even watch the multi-Oscar-nominated Lion.
The intensive nine day program will also feature a number of events with special guests, live music entertainment and an exciting free kids club program.
“The festival is a not-for-profit incorporated association of local Winton representatives and film industry professionals keen to keep the spirit of Australian film and culture alive in the bush” said festival director, Mark Melrose.
Click here for the festival’s downloadable program.
Vision Splendid Film Institute launched
Festival organisers have also announced an exciting new initiative to develop a long-term vision for cinema in the outback, the Vision Splendid Film Institute.
Undertaken in conjunction with the Winton Shire Council and Griffith Film School, the institute will offer two week intensive courses for students to create films in the Queensland outback region and continue to develop further courses through graduate programs.
This year 60 students will be heading to Winton during the festival to hone their crafts in the Outback Hollywood, including students from China and India.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
