Festival Program 7-17 March 2012

Showcasing Aussie talent for the third year running, the Australian Film Festival delivers yet another fabulous program for 2012 filled with free and ticketed films, Q & A's from our best filmmakers, great fun events, workshops and more. The festival opens on Wednesday March 7 with Sydney premiere of action packed thriller, Swerve (7PM) at the Randwick Ritz Cinema.

A star studded cast, Swerve stars Vince Colosimo, Emma Booth (Underbelly), David Lyons (Sea Patrol) and an appearance by Roy Billing, was the breakout hit of the Melbourne International Film Festival and makes for an exciting start to the 2012 festival.

With screenings at Randwick Ritz, Clovelly Beach and Star Cinema, festival highlights include the international film festival favourite, criminal love story Hail (March 8, 7PM) and Lincoln Fenner’s New York International Film Festival award winning documentary More4Me (March 9, 7PM).

Hosted by the festival's Principal Sponsor, TAFE Sydney Institute, the festival welcomes the Distribution Panel Discussion for the first time at the institute's Randwick campus. Join the talk as the festival invites Hopscotch Film’s Managing Director, Troy Lum and National Operations Manager of Dendy Cinemas, Nick Hayes to discuss issues surrounding the distribution of film in Australia on March 8 at 6:30PM.

On Saturday March 10, bring a picnic and join in the family fun on Clovelly Beach for a free screening of Australia’s favourite canine, Red Dog (dusk, free).

Also adding to the eclectic vibe of the 3rd Australian Film Festival, Matthew Goode and Essie Davies star in the film that David Stratton (At The Movies) called 'One of the top 5 films of the year!', Burning Man (March 10, 7PM) and pop culture film (and hit of indie festival SXSW), LBF (March 14, 7PM), starring Toby Schmitz and Gracie Otto.

The Australian Film Festival provides the opportunity for filmmakers to take part in great workshops at heavily subsidised prices. Adding a strong educational program to the bill, AFF plays host to the OneShot Workshop (March 10, 9am-4pm, Sydney Film School) coaching budding film makers through the processes, devices, and challenges of the ever increasingly popular one shot form ($45pp + bf).

On Sunday March 11 thousands are expected to turn out for The Spot Festival presented by Randwick City Council and held in conjunction with the Australian Film Festival.

Hit The Spot for an international feast of food and live entertainment, and the chance to see some of Australia’s most iconic actors honoured on the Australian Film Walk of Fame (3PM).

Previous greats include Jack Thompson, Gary Sweet, Claudia Karvan, Steve Bisley and Michael Caton.

As day turns into night, the Ritz will host the Australian Short Film Festival (7PM) showcasing the brightest emerging filmmakers in the country ($15pp).

And don’t miss Jack McCoy’s surfing masterpiece, A Deeper Shade of Blue on March 16 at 7PM. ADSB has been an international film festival hit and makes its' screen debut with the AFF.

As part of our television programme, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of 1970’s iconic and controversial Australian series Number 96. Head to Star Cinema (500 George Street, Sydney) on Tuesday March 13 at 7PM where audiences can relive the raunchy and groundbreaking show with the screening of two explosive episodes followed by a Q&A with creator David Sale and surprise cast members ($10 pp + bf).

This year, AFF goes green in conjunction with Macquarie University for the Green Screen: Climate Fix Flicks featuring a collection of films promoting the positive effects of moving the world towards a low carbon future. It’s totally free and you’ll be doing your bit for a more sustainable planet on March 13 at 7PM at the Ritz.

Also on March 13 The Australian Film Festival welcomes Pip Karmel, Alice Bell and Blake Ayshford to be a part of the judging panel for the 2012 FutureFilm Screenplay Competition. Five Finalists will have their script performed on stage at the festival for the opportunity to win prizes worth over $1,500.00 at 6:30PM at the AFTRS theatre in the Entertainment Quarter, Fox Studios.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Australian Directors Guild (ADG), the Australian Film Festival will be hosting a panel discussion on the craft of directing on March 14 commencing at 6PM for nibbles and drinks at Metro Screen.

Industry heavy hitters Gillian Armstrong (Little Women), Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) and Rowan Woods (Little Fish, The Boys) join the panel for this intimate two-hour discussion on filmmaking, moderated by AFF’s Festival Director, Barry Watterson.

Closing the festival on Saturday March 17 and promising to redefine the meaning of ‘Horrible Bosses’ is the world premiere of the seat clenching horror, Redd Inc. (7PM) starring Nicholas Hope (Bad Boy Bubby).

For just $25 + bf, film-writing hopefuls can have access to a comprehensive workshop, presented by one of the best in the business, Karel Segers on March 17 at Coogee Legions Club (10am – 4pm).

For more information and ticket bookings please go to www.australianfilmfestival.com.au. Tickets are now on sale $13.00 adults, $11.00 concession and $8.00 seniors.