Editor

The Australian Film Festival returns in March 2012 (7-17) for its third year screening the best new and classic Australian films. The Festival celebrates everything Australian about film with the opening (07 March) and closing nights film and party (17 March), a jam-packed food and film street fair day (11 March), an outdoor movie under the stars on the sands at Clovelly Beach (10 March) and much more.

Iconic art deco Cinema, the Randwick Ritz plays home to the Festival with ten days of screenings.  Activities and films are also taking place at Coogee, Clovelly Beach, Metro Screen and Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Festival director Barry Watterson says, 'The Australian Film Festival is not just about the screening of films and the spotting of great Australian film stars; it's also about engaging audiences with fabulous, unique events. The 3rd festival will see a growth in the Australian film audience base but also see the growth of film related events. There are some great surprises and a lot of fun at the Australian Film Festival - your film festival.'

Catch the Sydney premiere of New York International Film Festival award winning documentary More4Me by Australian Writer/Director Lincoln Fenner at the Australian Film Festival.  Check in to see some of the new wave of Australian film stars Toby Schmitz and Gracie Otto star in pop culture flick LBF by talented Aussie filmmaker Alex Munt.

One of Sydney's most tranquil spots, Clovelly Beach will transform to a seaside cinema on March 10 for the screening of the most popular Aussie flick in years, Red Dog (2011) starring Rachel Taylor and Josh Lucas. Bring your swimmers, a picnic dinner and your family for a night of film under the stars at the best cinema spot in Australia - Clovelly Beach. 

Come and enjoy the Spot Food & Film Festival (March 11) with streets surrounding the Ritz Cinema closed off  to make way for a huge street film, food and wine fair with loads of entertainment perfect for big and small kids. You'll even have the chance to spot the stars at the Australian Film Walk of Fame where a new Australian industry legend will be inducted - you have to be there to find out who! Previous greats include Jack Thompson, Gary Sweet, Claudia Karvan, Steve Bisley and Michael Caton.

For the first time the Festival has teamed up with the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) to present the FutureFilm Screenplay Competition (March 13), a celebration of of Australian screenwriting and performance with a $1000 cash prize and inclusion in AWG's Pathways program up for grabs. A competition for emerging writers from across Australia, five lucky talents will have their script picked and performed by actors of their choice in front of a live audience and judged by heavyweight filmmakers, Pip Karmel, Alice Bell and Blake Ayshford.

A must see for all film buffs will be the exclusive celebration of the Australian Directors Guild's (AGD) 30th Birthday. Partnering up with the AFF on March 14, people of Sydney will be able to witness a panel of top Australian directors come together and discuss their life in film and direction.

Fun for the whole family, the AFF showcases films where the major creative talent is Australian, open to any medium. Whether it is a feature, short film or television programme, the AFF continues to expose Australia's current and emerging creative flair.

The Festival is also geared to industry through a series of awards, workshops and educational programs to be announced in the coming weeks.

Laying the foundation of success in 2010/11, The Australian Film Festival's is back and bigger and better than ever and mustn't be missed. For more information head to http://www.australianfilmfestival.com.au/