Queenscliff's cinephiles keep film festival running

Hundreds of film-lovers and a panel of special guests will converge on Queenscliff Town Hall at the beginning of August for the return of the Queenscliff Film Festival. Cinephiles are working behind the scenes to bring world-class cinema back to the Borough for an 11th year. VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT learns more.

Queenscliff Film Festival (QFF) chair Rose Ott first joined the festival’s committee in 2015 as a way of connecting with other residents, following her move from Queensland the year before.

Move forward eight years, and Ott and her dedicated committee are setting up for the 11th running of the annual film festival, which was previously known as the Bellarine Lighthouse Film Festival.

The 2023 QFF will give cinephiles from all over the state a chance to enjoy, digest and discuss an eclectic selection of hand-picked titles from around the globe at Queenscliff Town Hall from August 4-6.

“Films transport us to other places, and we get the chance to explore and become exposed to other cultures as well,” Ott said.

“Films also provide us with stories of other peoples’ experiences as well, opening our view on the world in the process.”

Ott said this year’s film line-up includes five titles from Australia and overseas.

L-R: Queenscliff Film Festival committee members Rose Ott (chair), Virginia Todd, and Reefe Brighton are excited for world class cinema to arrive in the Borough for an 11th year.

Friday’s schedule features Australian film Sweet As, starring Aboriginal woman Shantae Barnes-Cowas as Murra, a troubled 16-year-old Indigenous girl who finds herself alone in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia and discovers a passion for photography.

Films Hit The Road (Iran), Close (Belgium/France), EO (Poland), and Corsage (Germany) will be screened over Saturday and Sunday.

“Over the past 12 years we have organised some wonderful events and our guest presenters enjoy the vibe and hospitality on offer here in Queenscliff,” Ott said.

“Film critic Margaret Pomeranz and her family came last year and enjoyed the whole festival weekend with us.

“This year we are delighted to host curator of Melbourne’s The Astor Theatre Zak Hepburn, his dog Kubrick, and director of the St Kilda Short Film Festival Richard Sowada as guest presenters on opening night.

“We like to include a bit of humour in our film selections and the inspiration behind some stories can leave you feeling truly elated; the Japanese film Sweet Bean is a good example and people are still talking about it years later.

“One of my favourite memories was Opening Night 2019 when we screened A Boy Called Sailboat with the Grigoryan Brothers, who played the music live with the film.”

Queenscliff Town Hall can hold up to 320 people on opening night.

Committee vice-chair Fiona Kelly said it was hard to choose a specific part of the festival to be excited for.

“I am looking forward to the opening night conversation with Mr Hepburn and Mr Sowada,” Kelly said.

“Zak has viewed all five films in this year’s program and is sure to have some interesting insights to share.

“As an added bonus, Zak has just returned from a whirlwind trip to the USA that included visits to the Academy Museum or Motion Pictures, Starwars Galactic Starcruiser, Sony Studios, Disney Springs and more.

“So for all the film nerds out there, there are sure to be travel stories, references to favourite films, actors, directors and more.”

L-R: Chair and deputy chair of the Queenscliff Film Festival Ross Ott and Fiona Kelly.

Ott said committee advisor Anne Molloy played a valuable role in the festival’s film selection process.

Committee member Reefe Brighton will make sure all technological aspects of the festival run smoothly.

The committee is also excited for the return of the Town Hall’s new projection screen.

The screen, which was first used in 2022, is the result of a collaboration between the Queenscliff Music Festival and the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Fellow committee member Virginia Todd said the festival was one of her favourite parts of the year.

Todd joined the committee in 2018 after attending her first Queenscliff Film Festival the year prior.

Queenscliff Film Festival committee member Virginia Todd.

It was then she noticed how active the Queenscliff community was when it came to volunteering.

“I just wanted to contribute to the town at the time,” she said.

“The first time I attended the festival as an audience member was just so much fun, and with winter being a quiet time here in Queenscliff, events like this are a great resource for local businesses.

“I wouldn’t consider myself an expert in film, I just enjoy them – but then again, who doesn’t?

“The line-up of films we get here at the festival is wide-ranging and it is what underpins the purpose of this event each year, bringing the world to Queenscliff.

“It’s also important to remember that we can always access movies online or on platforms such as Netflix, but the festival allows us to enjoy these films with other people, not just at our homes.

“It’s actually quite special to be a part of.”

Technology expert and new QFF committee member Reefe Brighton is hard at work to make sure all the technology is working seamlessly ahead of the three-day festival.

Marylou Gilbert, Margaret Martin, Suzanne Cooper, Matilda Bourke and Lorraine Callow have also been instrumental committee members since the inaugural festival in 2012.

Film fans attending the festival can also book a seat for a two-course dinner at the Shelter Shed on August 5.

For all ticket enquires, head to queensclifffilmfestival.com.au or phone committee member Monica Clemow on 0400 513 611.