Festival to showcase Australian, international films

FILMS from Australia and around the world will be showcased in this year’s edition of the North Bellarine Film Festival, which begins today (Friday, November 18).

The festival opens tonight with the critically acclaimed 2020 Australian film High Ground, directed by Stephen Johnson and starring Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Sean Mununggurr, Simon Baker and Jack Thompson.

Set against the stunning landscapes of 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground chronicles a young Aboriginal man who, in a bid to save the last of his family, teams up with an ex-soldier to track down his uncle, the most dangerous warrior in the Territory.

Doors open at 6.30pm with complimentary finger food provided by Portarlington’s Pier Street Café and a cash bar.

Tomorrow (Saturday, November 19), there will be a program of Australian and international short films from noon, including the locally produced Barwon Mansion and a Q&A session with its director, Mia de Rauch.

Local singer/songwriter Andrea Robertson will perform in the Potato Shed courtyard from 5.30pm.

The finalist films for the 2022 Emerging Filmmaker Award will be screened at 7.30pm tomorrow, with the winner announced at the conclusion of the evening.

This award recognises Victorian filmmakers 25 years of age and younger who demonstrate excellence, talent and commitment to their craft, making this event a celebration of some of the state’s best young filmmakers.

Doors open at 6.30pm with complimentary finger food provided by Pier Street Café and a cash bar.

“The North Bellarine Film Festival is a popular event on the city’s arts and culture calendar and has been delivering high-quality cinema to residents and visitors to the region since its inception in 2017,” festival chair Bill Lussier said.

“The Emerging Filmmaker Award has been identifying talented young filmmakers and screening their work since it was established in 2019. The award ceremony on the Saturday evening of the festival will be a celebration of some of our state’s best young filmmakers.”

For more information about the festival, head to northbellarinefilmfestival.org

Tickets are available online at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/event/north-bellarine-film-festival-2022, at City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres or by phoning 5251 1998.