Lighthouse Films joins Low Light Fest

Bellarine Lighthouse Films (BLF) have joined this year’s Low Light Festival (LLF) in Queenscliff to bring movie lovers an eclectic selection of world films.

As winter enters its darkest weeks, the inaugural LLF brings the finest international and local arts and culinary talents in a month-long celebration of senses.

Offsetting the low season and winter weather, four consecutive weekends kicking off June 22-24 and concluding July 13-15 will celebrate a program of food, arts and entertainment.

Queenscliff’s public spaces, galleries, cafes, bars and restaurants will play host to a dazzling array of art exhibitions, film premieres and screenings, spoken word and literary readings and music performances.

Monica Clemow from BLF said the movies will hit the big screen Friday June 22 until Sunday June 24 at the Queenscliff Town Hall.

“This year’s program is an exceptional line-up of award-winning International films described as dazzling, mesmerising, entertaining, rousing and bonkers,” Ms Clemow said.

“Coinciding with the launch of the Low Light Festival, the weekend provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in other worlds, walk in another’s shoes and step outside your comfort zone in the warmth and conveniently located town hall.”

The launch begins with Australian documentary Gurrumul on Friday night at 7pm, the film explores one of Australia’s most celebrated and important indigenous voices and a Q&A will take place afterwards with Jane Wager from City of Great Geelong, co-producer Shannon Swan and managing director of Skinnyfish Music Mark Grose.

“Gurrumul performed at the Queenscliff Music Festival several years ago so there’s a strong connection to the town,” Ms Clemow said.

Saturday features three films, I am not a Witch (UK/France/Germany) airing at 1pm explores the story of an eight-year-old-girl accused and subsequently found guilty of being a witch; Foxtrot (Israel) at 3.30pm follows as Michael and Dafna experience gut-wrenching grief when army officials show up at their home to announce the death of their son Jonathan, and A Taxi Driver at 7pm (South Korea) the powerful true story set in 1980, of a down-on-his-luck taxi driver from Seoul hired by a foreign journalist who wants to go to the town of Gwangju for the day; they arrive to find a city under siege by the military government, with the citizens, led by a determined group of college students, rising up to demand freedom.

The final film of the series, The Square (Sweden/Germany/France/Denmark) sees the director of Force Majeure (BLF 2015) return with a thrillingly weird study of an art gallery director whose life goes into meltdown after his mobile phone is stolen.

Leanne Stein said they’d had a great response particularly for the opening night and were hoping strong ticket sales continued for the event.

“We work with Twilight Cinemas so we have a huge projector, its real cinema quality. It’s a great thing to do in winter, it’s a very summer resort but you can curtain off the windows and turn up the heaters in the town hall and its really quiet cosy in here,” she said.

Purchase a weekend pass for great value at $70 (includes opening night) or attend a single session from $15, for more information contact Monica Clemow on 0400 513 611 or email [email protected].

The full festival program, film synopsis and trailers can be viewed at bellarinelighthousefilms.com.