Film critic set to open upcoming film festival

AWARD-WINNING film critic David Stratton will open this year’s North Bellarine Film Festival by video link next month.
Held at the Black Box Theatre in the Potato Shed at Drysdale, the festival from November 15 to 17 will celebrate women film directors and host a World Premiere.
The opening red-carpet reception on Friday November 15 at 7pm will be followed by the British film, The Party, written and directed by Sally Potter.
The winning entry of the festival’s inaugural Emerging Victorian Filmmaker Award, sponsored by the Portarlington Film Society, will be announced and screened after a presentation to the filmmaker.
The World Premiere of Black Garden, filmed on location in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula by local filmmakers, Shaun Wilson and Tammy Honey, will be held on Saturday November 16.
A function for ticket holders at 4pm will be followed by the screening at 4.30pm and a Question and Answer session – many of the cast and crew will attend.
The premiere film will join other international films, The Third Wife, The Guilty, Sink or Swim, Shoplifters and the short film, Mousse.
A further 20 short films, many by women directors, will be screened as part of a free program.
An animation, experimental and avant-garde free program will screen 18 films at the festival’s satellite venue, the former Portarlington Neighbourhood House.
A presentation of film and video art will also be shown in the foyer at the Potato Shed throughout the weekend.
Tickets for all feature films, including the opening night reception, are selling at the Potato Shed Box Office in Drysdale and at all City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres.
Credit Card sales are available by phone on 5251 1998.
A ticketing link is also available at geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed.
All tickets will include a voucher to enjoy a complimentary guided tasting of premium wines at Leura Park Estate or a cider tasting paddle valued at $14 from the Flying Brick Cider House.
For more information visit northbellarinefilmfestival.org.