NOWRA | 28 – 31 October
WOLLONGONG | 4 – 7 Nov

Our Film Festival is set for an explosive start, with some of the festivals highest rated films kickstarting the Semi-finals.

Audience will be sending one film from each of our Heat 1 categories, one International Film, one Australian film and one home-grown Illawarra film to our GALA FINALS.

Our judges will vote one film as the overall Best Film for Heat 1 which will also advance to the galas.

HEAT 1 | Semi-Finals
Nowra Screenings: Thu 28/10 (7:30pm) & Sun 31/10 (3:00pm)
at the ROXY Cinema, Nowra
All tickets $15
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Wollongong Screenings: Thu 4/11 (7:30pm) & Sun 7/11 (3:00pm)
at the Bridge Street Theatre Coniston (Phoenix Theatre)
Tickets: $22 Adult, $17 Concession
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Agnès Varda

International Films | Islamic Republic of Iran

Written and directed by Mohammad Mohammadian

A brief overview of the life and cinema of French film director, screenwriter, photographer and installation artist Agnès Varda. Her work was pioneering for, and central to, the development of the widely influential French New Wave film movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Historically, Agnès Varda is seen as the New Wave’s mother.

Strange Hearts

International Films (Santiago, Chile)

Written and directed by Fran Olmedo Longeri

A lonely young man dies because of destiny’s mistake. When he comes back to life but without a beating heart, destiny must correct its wrong by giving him another chance at love.

Key Cast: Vince Doud

The Slide

Australian Films (Melbourne, VIC)

Written and directed by Matt Williams

A brief overview of the life and cinema of French film director, screenwriter, photographer and installation artist Agnès Varda. Her A brother and sister, reunited amidst the upheaval of 2020, bond over a monument to their childhood.

Key Cast: Abigail King, Jesse Bouma

Writing Time

Australian Films (Sydney)

Written and directed by Lachlan Salvestro

Discovering that he is trapped in an endless science exam, a hopelessly unprepared student struggles against his loop. Your time starts now.

Key Cast: Saksham Sharma, Dominic Polito

Run With Me

Australian Films (Gold Coast, QLD)

Written by Jo-Anne Brechin
Directed by Bonnie Cee

A boy is on a pursuit to live life to the fullest and convince his love that the restraints of their beautiful town are closing them both in, but can he sway her to leave before it’s too late?

Key Cast: Arielle Cartwright, Nick Slater

Prey School (Wildcard Peoples Choice)

Australian Films (Sydney)

Written and directed Angus Middleton

Join Adam and Lucy as they learn to count, that it’s okay to be scared and how to live through a global pandemic.

Key Cast: Thomas “Wombat” Goth-Towney, Tiffany Wong, Ranjeet Manjrekar

If I Quit Now

Australian Films (Adelaide SA)

Written and directed by Luke Wissell

Near the end of his twelve month rehab stay, Andrew gives a vulnerable testimony to churchgoers. When the congregation seem to judge him harshly, a shattered Andrew makes plans to slip away from the residential rehab and back to drugs. But Rob, the teenager Andrew’s spent the past two months mentoring, uncovers his best friend’s ruinous plan and stages a frightening coup to save Andrew.

Wing

Illawarra Films (Woonona)

Written by Gaele Sobott
Directed by Linda Luke and Martin Fox

A bird brings together a dancer, a poet, a film-maker, a composer – to touch the fragility of life.

Key Cast: Linda Luke, Clare Grant

Mr Organic

Illawarra Films (Thirroul)

Written and directed Gabriel McCarthy and Jonathan Adams

Mr. Organic and a stranger get into a “competition” in the park.

Key Cast: Gabriel McCarthy and Jonathan Adams

Don’t Waste It (Newhaven)

Illawarra Films (Dapto)

Directed by Jordan Turner

Don’t Waste It (Newhaven)
Illawarra Films (Dapto)
Set in an abandoned research facility, the music video follows ‘Six’, a test subject who is goaded into making his escape by a mysterious woman from his past.  The film clip combines miniature sets with 3D and 2D animated characters into a menagerie of styles that are diverse, but still created a sense of cohesion in that disparity.

HEAT 1 | Semi-Finals
Nowra Screenings: Thu 28/10 (7:30pm) & Sun 31/10 (3:00pm)
at the ROXY Cinema, Nowra
All tickets $15
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Wollongong Screenings: Thu 4/11 (7:30pm) & Sun 7/11 (3:00pm)
at the Bridge Street Theatre Coniston (Phoenix Theatre)
Tickets: $22 Adult, $17 Concession
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org