SOMETHING DIFFERENT
By Tierney White
The Darwin Festival may be over, but there’s still the opportunity to soak up those buzzing festival vibes.
If you’re a bit of a movie buff and keen to check out a smorgasbord of genres such as comedy, documentary and drama, including foreign language and Indigenous content, DIFF is without a doubt the place for you to be this month. DIFF runs over eight tropical Top End days and nights, and includes events, film and screen workshops and, of course, film screenings at the iconic Deckchair Cinema.
Deckchair Cinema Manager, Hannah Brodie-Hall, says this year is set to be the biggest yet. “It’s the sixth year of DIFF and we are very excited by the eclectic mix of films included in the program this year.”
“It just gets bigger and better every year and this year the program covers such a great mix – from light to dark, comedy to drama, fiction to documentary – this is the strongest program I’ve seen yet,” Brodie-Hall said.
Films included in the program have been carefully selected by the DIFF Committee [a sub-committee of the Darwin Film Society] with the assistance of industry experts, such as Michael Sergi – director, producer and writer, and Timothy Parish – Darwin born director, producer and writer. These films have never before been screened in the Territory, and in some cases, are also Australian premieres – talk about VIP!
If that wasn’t enough to entice lovers of the big screen, the Festival also invites actors, directors and filmmakers involved with the films to Darwin to discuss their craft with the local crowd – you read right – there’ll be opportunities to hear directly from some seriously talented folks. There is one special guest in particular Deckchair Manager Brodie-Hall believes audience members will be interested to see. “Cinematographer Don McAlpine is coming to Darwin. He is known for films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet, so that’s just amazing. We’ll also be screening one of his films and audience members will get the chance to ask him about his work.”
It would appear DIFF just grows each year, offering a diverse program full of events, films, and workshops. Check out the opening and closing nights, complete with that festival-feeling, offering great music, food and all things film. Learn the tricks of the trade at specially selected workshops across a range of subjects drone photography, filmmaking in indigenous context, new cinema tech and networking for screen, only to name a few.
If you love making films, being in films, or simply watching films, get along to Deckchair and feast upon the food, the films and the energy, and relish in the Darwin International Film Festival. Go on – do something DIFFerent!
PROGRAM
Opening Night: Force Of Destiny (Australia)
Wed 16 Sep | 7.15pm | Joined by special guests
The Wolfpack (USA) | Thu 17 Sep | 7.15pm
Another Country (Australia) | Thu 17 Sep | 9:10pm
Body (Poland) | Fri 18 Sep | 7.15pm
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
(Sweden, Germany, Norway, France) | Fri 18 Sep | 9:15pm
Mistress America (USA) | Sat 19 Sep | 7.15pm
Ned Rifle (USA) | Sat 19 Sep | 9:10pm
Tehran Taxi (Iran) | Sun 20 Sep | 7.15pm
1000 Rupee Note Australian Premiere (India) | Sun 20 Sep | 9:10pm
The Volcano (France | Guatemala) | Mon 21 Sep | 7.15pm
The Fear of Darkness (Australia) | Mon 21 Sep | 9.25pm
The Second Mother (Brazil) | Tue 22 Sep | 7.15pm
Closing Night: Victoria (German) | Wed 23 Sep | 7.15pm
http://www.offtheleash.net.au/events/view/darwin-international-film-festival-diff-2015
