Film festival ready for return

THE Buninyong Film Festival is set to once again take to the silver screen at Buninyong Town Hall.

With eight films showing across Friday, 20 May and Saturday, 21 May, festival president Lisa Cressey said it’s a “huge relief” to be able to share the movies with the community.

“You put so much effort and time and heart into a festival, and when it gets cancelled you feel like you haven’t finished it,” she said.

“So, this will really bring us that closure and release, and the films are just amazing. Most of them have not been shown in the Ballarat area.”

Additions to the festival program this time round include a heritage walk around Buninyong’s CBD, and a musical performance which will take place prior to one of the Saturday night screenings.

Complimentary cocktails will be available between each film on the Friday night, with food prepared by Pot of Courage and The Shared Table over two days.

The festival’s return marks the continuation of almost 30 years of activity, and secretary Lorraine Powell said this year’s iteration will maintain the “village atmosphere” and continue their overarching theme of community.

“The collection of films is about all sorts of communities, and that’s what we tend to do,” she said.

“We’ve had an eclectic mix of uplifting and thought-provoking movies over our years. If you had to list all the films we’ve had, you’d have a pretty consistent character of who we and the community are.”

Tickets are $15 per session with the option to purchase a festival season pass for $90, and are available at bit.ly/3vKot2s.