Sydney Film Festival (2011)

Film festivals are always such fun. They are a chance to immerse yourself in lands and cultures far from your own, and a way to peep into lives lived so differently. There’s also inspiration to be found, seeing how people react to everyday realities, and nothing unites us all than life’s joys and sorrows we all experience. It’s also a way to challenge our personal and political boundaries, and open our minds to alternatives and different points of view.

The 58th Sydney Film Festival is one such fabulous event that brings all this together. With only two weeks to go, things are certainly looking very promising, because there’s a great mix of films and special events in the offing. It’s going to be 12 days of non-stop fun that will satisfy the most fanatical cinephile.

The festival is made up of a variety of feature films, documentaries, animations and shorts – 162 to be precise and that’s a lot of film! You’ll certainly be spoilt for choice. From romance and relationships, to the inspirational, and from family favourites to action-packed thrillers, there are lots to choose from. Of note is a tribute to Iranian filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof, which features nine of their films.

Truly international in flavour, the festival will showcase submissions from over 40 countries (in over 50 languages), including Cyprus, Egypt, Mexico, South Korea, Spain and Russia to name a few.

Lost in Oregon: A still from Meek's Cutoff

There are several key events that are taking place alongside the festival. The foremost are the competitions for the films themselves. It’s a testament of the festival’s commitment to nurturing and rewarding contemporary films and their creators.

The official competition is the Sydney Film Prize, for which 12 features are in the running. The Foxtel Australian Documentary Prize has 10 films competing for it, and the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films has three awards to be won. The CRC Award will go to the work that best represents multicultural Australia, while the Peter Rasmussen Innovation Award will reward the most visionary spirit. The SHOWTIME Movie Channels Audience Awards is where the people speak out about their favourites.

Life, Above All is based on Allan Stratton's bestseller Chanda's Secrets

There is the opening night gala (sorry, folks, it’s sold out) and the closing night gala – the time to walk that red carpet. The most loved film critic duo in Australia, David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz will hold a special event titled Films That Divide Us: 25 Years of David and Margaret. This should be an absolute treat, because any fan of their TV show would know it’s the films that they don’t agree on that are the most contentious. Being planned is a competition, where you can win a dinner for two with David and Margaret, so watch the SFF space for more on that.

If you are a budding filmmaker, a student of the genre, or want to make the move from one type of film to another, the Sydney Film Festival has a space for you too – it’s the Metro Screen Workshops. Hobnob with those who have taken this road before, learn from their experiences and mistakes, and generally engage in interactive sessions of ideas and advise.

Where the Heart Is: Inspired by Singapore's Civic Life project © Alvin Pang

Canadian filmmaker Jody Shapiro will talk about aspects of the film industry, while Amiel Courtin-Wilson and Michael Cody will take you through the move from short films to feature films. There is a panel discussion based on two new Australian films by Sophie Hyde and Matthew Bate. Hattie Dalton will be part of a workshop that discusses her debut feature film Third Star. The Apple Store on George Street will also be home to two forums, where Miranda July will talk about her new film The Future, and Phil Rosenthal, Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, will talk about his attempt to turn the hit show into a Russian sitcom! These events are free of charge too, so come along for some inspiring and informative get-togethers.

The Sydney Film Festival is happening from Wednesday, 8 June to Sunday, 19 June 2011. There are several venues scattered throughout the city: the State Theatre, the Art Gallery of NSW, Dendy Opera Quays, Event Cinemas (George Street), Town Hall, AFTRS (Australia Film, Television and Radio School) and the Museum of Contemporary Art. So, make sure you know where to go.

From the historical blockbuster Sacrifice

There are three ticket types to suit different needs. The Subscription Tickets are now closed, but the FlexiPass and Single Tickets are still on sale. You should hurry though – these things are selling off like hot cakes! You can get lots more info from their website at www.sff.org.au If you are keen to get some tickets, the site allows you to select by category, director, type, etc. which is neat.

Do make the time to take in a few of these films, and let their creativity and ingenuity touch your life in some way.

Images © Sydney Film Festival and image.net