Showing our stories on the big screen

I HAVE always enjoyed settling in to watch a good film.

In 1967 I cut school to see the French classic Un homme et une femme and immediately fell in love with world cinema.

Throughout my years at university, I frequented film festivals where I got a taste for a range of foreign films. I have always had an appreciation for good storytelling from both around the globe and here at home.

So, it was my pleasure to attend the recent North Bellarine Film Festival to celebrate our local filmmakers.

Since 2018, the festival has done a marvellous job showcasing the rich creative talent here on the Bellarine. The event has screened some remarkable international and local features and short films, and this year’s program was no exception.

This year we had the pleasure of viewing Lisa Knight’s documentary short The Salty Bitches – the name is not what you might think!

Filmed right here on the Bellarine, Lisa shared the story of a group of local swimmers who have found friendship and support through early morning swims in Port Phillip Bay.

It was delightful to see our local landscapes and stories shared on the big screen.

Importantly, the film festival also offers a valuable opportunity to foster creative talent in young filmmakers, with an awards ceremony acknowledging emerging filmmakers and documentarians.

That’s why events like this are so important, they amplify our stories, highlight our local talent and encourage filmmakers in the region to share their craft.

At the City we deeply value any event that showcases our burgeoning arts and culture sector, and we have been a proud supporter of this festival since its inception.

The festival has received six grants from the City of Greater Geelong, including a COVID-19 recovery grant, which speaks to the dedication of the festival’s committee and their efforts in making this event a continued success.

It is encouraging to see importance placed on highlighting up-and-coming creatives and I applaud the team for celebrating filmmakers and shining a light on young, local talent.

Geelong has a small but growing filmmaking industry, and our region is no stranger to appearing on the big screen.

An upcoming film from director Jonathan Levine recently used GMHBA Stadium as a location for a major project. It will be interesting to see the Cats’ home ground transformed into an American football stadium for the purposes of the film.

Little River is our region’s own Little Hollywood, with the township and neighbouring You Yangs featured in the 1979 cult classic Mad Max, Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Ned Kelly and the Kate Winslet blockbuster The Dressmaker.

And, for almost a decade, our beautiful Bellarine was the home of the TV series SeaChange, with many locations in Barwon Heads and St Leonards starring on the small screen.

This rich cinematic history proves our region is packed with great locations and even better stories.

The North Bellarine Film Festival continues to shine a light on our homegrown storytellers and gives emerging filmmakers a platform, which is absolutely vital to our arts scene.

I can’t wait to see what they screen next year!