Feast of fine films

THE Noosa International Film Festival kicks off next week spanning four days of cinematic events across the region, starting on Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 November.
Local, Australian and international talent will hit the big screens including over 140 short and feature length films over the festival weekend.
A very special guest event will kick off the festival on the evening of Thursday 3rd. An Evening with John Seale will be presented by the Academy Award-winning Australian cinematographer, acclaimed for his work on films such as Rain Man, Gorillas in the Mist, The English Patient, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and more recently Mad Max: Fury Road.
In an event for anyone who loves cinema, Mr Seale will reveal aspects of his life spent making landmark films, at The J Theatre in Noosa on Thursday 3 November. Tickets are $30.
An all-premiere line up of new release feature films is set as part of its World Cinema program, including five Australian features and a Queensland premiere.
Melody (Belgium, 2014) will screen its Australian premiere at the opening night event on Friday 4 November.
The drama, directed by Bernard Bellefroid, is filmed in French/English and stars award-winning Australian actress, Rachael Blake who will be in attendance on the night along with some other special guests, including John Seale.
The World Cinema program will screen at the BCC Cinemas on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday and filmgoers can explore the program and purchase tickets on the festival website.
A diverse and entertaining 13 short film sessions will screen over the weekend at The J Theatre, Eumundi School of Arts Hall and Pomona Majestic Theatre covering a mix of genres as well as two comedy sessions on Saturday night.
Also at the Pomona Majestic Theatre, will be the 1920 classic silent horror, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Said to be one of the most influential films of the silent era, this classic will be accompanied by a traditional pianist on Saturday evening.
Festival Organisers say the quality of the inaugural Noosa International Film Festival program has surpassed expectations for the festival’s first year.
“We are confident that the quality and diversity of the Festival Program will entertain and delight film-goers,” says Peter Chenoweth, festival director.
The festival will run throughout the Noosa Junction, Eumundi, Cooroy and Pomona. Tickets and programs are available at www.niff.com.au.