A Cross Continental Feast
Calling all film buffs, filmmakers, music fans, and foodies – you’re invited to feast at the 2024 Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF). Celebrating 15 flick-filled years, DIFF returns to present a jam-packed program with features and shorts from every continent around the globe.
By Jenna Kirkham & Tierney White
DESTINED TO DELIGHT across 11 star-filled evenings of cinema, music and fare, the action unfolds across three Darwin Waterfront locations, including the beloved home of DIFF and Territory film, the Deckchair Cinema.
Featuring major award-winning films from Sydney Film Festival and Sundance, a stellar line-up of actors, directors and major industry players, and the second-ever international guest, the 2024 DIFF is a biggie.
“There are films from every continent, and the real highlights this year are that we’ve expanded the festival to include a much bigger shorts program,” says Festival Manager James Parker.
“We’ve got incredible shorts from Australia and New Zealand, but especially from Central Australia and in the Northern Territory. We’ve got shorts screening with all the early features, and we’ve got dedicated short film programs that are playing separately as well.”
Two dedicated shorts programs screen at newly enlisted satellite venue, The Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The Short Film Showcase features 100 minutes of fun, insightful, moving and inspiring Australian shorts. The Best of Timor-Leste Shorts features seven films that celebrate the rugged landscapes and raw natural beauty of Timor-Leste, and includes a visit from DIFF’s second-ever international guest, Bernardino Soares, here to present his film Titir Husi Maubisse.
“I am very proud that our film is recognised internationally, and that it serves as a musical and visually stimulating medium to promote tourism to Timor-Leste,” he says in a comment translated to English from Tetun.
The three sites are a delightful stroll or shuttle bus to and from one another, making it the perfect site for the lights, camera, action to unfold.
“You can do it all in the Darwin Waterfront. There’s also the Darwin Waterfront lawns, with a free, four film Wes Anderson retrospective. You can catch a film at 5pm, you can catch a film at the Deckchair at 7pm, and then a film later in the evening,” Parker says.
Foodies are well catered for with nightly feeds at the Deckie, plus an exclusive feast and film event at Hilton Darwin. Enjoy a screening of Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros, a fascinating four-hour documentary about a Michelin star restaurant owned by a French family, as you tuck into a four-course feast.
Staying true to its ethos of fostering local film development and providing opportunities for Territory filmmakers, DIFF welcomes back the two-day NT Screen Summit, something Parker says is the flagship industry event for the Northern Territory.
“There’s no other event where you have this many people under one roof together, networking, doing panel discussions, workshops, the works. You’ve got interstate special guests, major distributors, streaming services, and funding agencies. It’s a real opportunity for the local industry to meet, network and get their foot in the door of a difficult industry."
Also making a return is the SPARK NT Short Film Initiative, showcasing shorts funded by Screen Territory specifically to premiere at DIFF. Join 2024 SPARK directors Rebecca Parker, Damon van der Schuit and Samantha A. Laughton for the world premiere of their three films, Live From Alice, Fence, and Bear.
Riding on the coat-tails of SPARK success is filmmaker Mara Jean Quinn, whose first feature film, Andamooka, screens at this year’s DIFF after her short Desert Metal Dreaming screened as part of SPARK in 2021. Reflecting upon amazing female led talent, it would be remiss not to mention this year’s spectacular opening night feature, Like My Brother, coming to you from NT filmmakers, Danielle MacLean and Sal Balharrie.
“We’re incredibly lucky this year to have such a strong film to open with,” says Parker.
“Like My Brother features four young women from the Tiwi Islands who are rising AFL stars … it follows on into their lives and the challenges that come with family life versus taking on this career and being from the Tiwi Islands … and the challenges this represents.”
MacLean and Balharrie are joined by stars of the documentary Rina, Freda, Julianna and Jess, who take part in a special Q& A after the screening.
Not a festival to shy away from creating an immersive experience, DIFF offers a local caterer each night and live musical talents of some of Darwin’s fave locals, including Alice Cotton, Crystal Robins, Reverie, and Jigsaw Collective to name a few.
If you’re keen to make the most of your experience, grab a Film Pass or Full Access Passes to milk the 11-day film fest, set to provide a wholly unique experience each night through sight, taste and sound.
A very exciting development to this year’s festival is that it’s breaking beyond the boundaries of Darwin, and making the trek down the track, with DIFF Down the Road in Katherine later in the month, and Mparntwe/Alice Springs International Film Festival early next month.
Wherever you find yourselves in the Territory, there’s the chance to catch some cinematic gems on a big screen near you.
Darwin International Film Festival
WHEN THU 12 – SUN 22 SEP
COST FREE - $25 | FESTIVAL PASS AVAILABLE
INFO diff.net.au
Festival Highlights
Like My Brother - Opening Night with Special Guests
Follow four young talented Tiwi Island women as they navigate the social and physical hurdles of following their dreams to AFLW stardom. With the support of their community, they face triumphs and setbacks as they navigate cultural expectations, distance, and financial barriers. Filmed over six years, this is a triumphant and inspiring documentary.
WHEN THU 12 SEP | 7PM
COST $11-$21
Titir Husi Maubisse
Presented by The Asia Foundation, the New Zealand Government and Fundação Oriente, Titir Husi Maubisse follows traditional artists in Maubisse as they learn and experiment with traditional instruments. Join director Bernardino Soares as special guest for insight into how the film was made.
WHEN FRI 13 SEP | 5PM
COST $11-$21
RFDS Retro
Screening four timeless classics, RFDS Retro brings a few golden oldies back to the big screen. Proof and Black Robe are presented by the National Film and Sound Archives digital restoration program, NFSA Restores.
Proof SAT 14 SEP | 5PM
Lunana: A Yak in a Classroom SUN 15 SEP | 5PM
Mary And Max FRI 20 SEP | 5PM
Black Robe SUN 22 SEP | 5PM
The Monk and the Gun
Set in 2006, Bhutan embraces all things modern, with the introduction of the internet, television, and democracy. In preparation for voting, a mock election is held for its citizens, however those in rural communities remain sceptical. As an election supervisor travels to remote areas where religion often outweighs politics, he discovers a monk is planning a secretive ceremony on election day.
WHEN SUN 15 SEP | 7PM
COST $11-$21
Andamooka
On the precipice of turning 30, Alex finds her whole life falling apart before her eyes. Seeking a glimmer of hope for her birthday, she retreats to Andamooka, a secluded opal mining town, to find comfort with her best friend. Set against the breathtaking landscape of remote Australia, Alex immerses herself in the magic of the outback.
With special guests Georgie Neave, Mara Jean Quinn, and John Schmidt.
WHEN MON 16 SEP | 7PM
COST $11-$21
Under Streetlights
An aspiring Aboriginal hip-hop artist in the desert forms an unexpected friendship with the daughter of the policeman who arrested his father. United by their love of music, the pair set out on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Based on a true story, the film follows an incredible story of resilience against all odds. With special guests Jakob Harvey, Madison Hull, Leighton Mason, Danielle Loy, and Ken Lechleitner!
WHEN WED 18 SEP | 7PM
COST $11-$21
Wes at the Waterfront
Wes Anderson takes over this year’s Waterfront Screen with a selection of family-friendly faves. Find the eccentrically charming and distinctive visual style of this filmmaker across four fun, flick-filled nights. Bring your blankets and settle in for this quirky journey of colour and motion picture magic.
Rushmore - SAT 14 SEP | 7.30PM
Moonrise Kingdom - SUN 15 SEP | 7.30PM
The Grand Budapest Hotel - FRI 20 SEP | 7.30PM
Fantastic Mr Fox - SUN 22 SEP | 7.30PM
COST FREE
Special Events
The 2024 Australian Cinematographers Society NT Awards
The Northern Territory’s finest cinematographers are recognised at this night of celebration and recognition under the stars, featuring multi-award winning Guest of Honour Peter James, one of the greatest cinematographers of his generation.
WHEN SAT 21 SEP | 5.30PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $130
Northern Territory Screen Summit
This two-day industry event supports NT screen professionals, game developers and people considering a career in the NT screen sector. The Summit explores craft, creativity and innovation with some of Australia’s most well-known screen specialists, and provides valuable networking opportunities for the local film industry.
WHEN SAT 21 & SUN 22 SEP
AT CDU, DARWIN WATERFRONT CAMPUS
COST FREE
Film Festival Feast
The ultimate dining and film experience for the cinephile foodie! This one-off event consists of a four-course dinner, drinks and the four-hour long mouth-watering film, Menus-Plaisir - Les Troisgros, set in a three-Michelin-star French restaurant. Oui!
WHEN SAT 14 SEP | 5.30PM
AT HILTON DARWIN
COST $175
SPARK
The SPARK Short Film Initiative returns for its ninth edition, with three incredible local short films making their world premiere. Join special guests and local filmmakers in welcoming this year’s selection of shorts for one of the festival’s most awe-inspiring nights. Hot tip – this one always sells out – so get onto your tix quick sticks.
WHEN FRI 20 SEP | 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $11-$21
Header image: Andamooka
Inset: Nicholas Gouldhurst
Thumbnail: Like My Brother Screening at DIFF Opening Night, Thu 12 Sep
