Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF)
The organisers of the 2017 Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) have scoured the world to bring us this year’s program, from the grand old Hong Kong International Film Festival, to the glitter of Tribeca in New York and the eye-opening Toronto Hot Docs.
The result? A two-week celebration of cinema – the best drama, hidden stories, glorious cinematography and stirring real-life tales.
“We want to show the diversity of the world and the huge variety of film culture going on,” says DIFF Director Tim Parish.
“We’ve got a really strong focus on Asia this year and a strong ‘Indigenous vision’ theme. We’re also showcasing a range of Territory-made films as part of the Spark short film initiative. Another theme, 'Eurocentric', looks at the latest in European cinema.”
The biggest new feature to this year’s DIFF is Cinema 360°, a pop-up 18-metre dome screen at the Waterfront precinct.
Pioneered in the 1950s, dome screens have moved beyond educational planetariums and are now used to create truly immersive cinema. This will be an eye-opening cinematic experience for people of all ages, and is not to be missed.
To celebrate and remember the remarkable life and artistry of Dr G Yunupingu, a special screening of a documentary will be held on the big screen at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
Film lovers will also revel in DIFF’s audiovisual program, including silent film screenings with live music, while those in the industry should definitely check out the Australian Cinematography Awards and the range of extensive workshops. Special guest David Wenham will attend a live script reading of local TV shows-in-production News Junkies and Zero-Point.
One of DIFF's hot picks is the highly anticipated Westwind, the story of famed yidaki player and Yolngu elder Djalu Gurruwiwi, who will also be a guest of the festival; Lipstick Under My Burkha star Aahana Kumra is DIFF's first international guest and will appear at the opening night screening of the film. Don't miss Australian David Wenham’s directorial debut Ellipsis, and if you loved the hell-bent action of George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, you’ll no doubt be revving to see the director’s special black and white edition. Dress up in your best armour and oily rags for the post-apocalyptic after party.
As the official DIFF Festival Club, the Happy Yess will be a good place to air your thoughts on what you’ve seen and raise a toast to a thriving world of cinema.
Read Q&As with director Alankrita Shrivastava (Lipstick Under My Burkha) and David Wenham (Ellipsis) | See the event listing for DIFF Opening Night Gala.
For the full program go to diff.net.au.
