THE SYD MEAD AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2010

Date: March 2010

Location: Sydney

A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the greatest concept artist of the 20th century, and to experience his world like you have never seen it before.

Syd Mead is the most celebrated concept artist in the world today.

He was the artist behind some of the most influential science fiction of the 20th century: BLADE RUNNER, TRON, ALIENS, STAR TREK, 2010 (to name a few).

The tour is being organized in conjunction with the CG Society, and the inaugural event in Sydney is set to be a spectacular visual experience:

On the night of Thursday, 18th of March, the premiere of the award winning film, Visual Futurist: the Art and Life of Syd Mead, will be screened at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne.

The screening will be followed by Syd Mead live on stage, interviewed by Jamie Leonarder (The Naked City, FBI / previous host of The Movie Show, SBS).

Syd will be available for signings after the event, and there will be very special limited edition Syd Mead Australian tour t-shirts and DVDs on sale.

Come and pay tribute to the man who, for the last half century, has played such a pivotal role in the design of science fiction in film, and who's genius has inspired countless artists around the world.

Immerse yourself in his world, and meet the man himself.

Please book your tickets by March the 10th at: http://www.orpheum.com.au/syd-mead.htm

Tickets are only $25 to ensure that students and the general public have the opportunity to attend this rare event.

It is advised that you book early to avoid disappointment. The tour has already generated enormous interest.

Contact Paul with any inquiries about the tour: http://nova@bigfoot.com.au

Web: http://www.iff2010.com/

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2010

Date: March 2010

Location: Melbourne and Sydney

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2010 - BOLLYWOOD AND BEYOND

Bollywood Superstar Rani Mukherjee to Open Indian Film Festival in Melbourne & Sydney

Hindi cinema's beautiful and acclaimed actress Rani Mukherjee (often referred to as Queen of Bollywood & India's Julia Roberts) will open the Melbourne and Sydney editions of the Indian Film Festival.

Melbourne will also see a contingent of the best and most successful Hindi films makers - Rajkumar Hirani (director of the highest grossing Hindi film of all time 3 Idiots), Imtiaz Ali, the highly talented director of superhits Jab We Met & Love Aaj Kal. Also attending will be actor/producer/director Sohail Khan, star of Main aur Mrs Khanna which was filmed in Melbourne and will have a special screening at Federation Square.

Festival Highlights Include:

March 11 @ 9pm Federation Square
Free screening of the Blockbuster 3 Idiots. Introduced by Rajkumar Hirani in the presence of all Festival guests.

Meet the film makers -- question and answer screenings of Love Aaj Kal with director Imtiaz Ali and Dil Bole Hadippa with director Anurag Singh and star Rani Mukherjee Premiere screening of award winning Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh's new feature Shob Choritro Kalponik starring Bipasha Basu.

Saturday, March 13 @ 8pm Federation Square.
A special free screening in Federation Square of Main or Mrs Khanna, which was filmed in Melbourne. The film will be introduced by Producer/Actor Sohail Khan.

Screenings of the finalists in the Short film Competition, which has attracted entries from around the world.

The Indian Film Festival - Bollywood and Beyond 2010 will be the biggest and most exciting Indian film festival ever held in Australia, with over 30 films being screened

Festival Dates:
Melbourne - Cinema Nova 10th to 17th March 2010
Sydney - Cinema Paris 12th to 18th March 2010
Perth - Luna Palace Cinema 25th March to 7th April 2010
Auckland - Rialto Cinema 14th - 21st April 2010

Visit the Official IFF WEBSITE AT

Web: http://www.iff2010.com/

PROTO-NINJA AWARD FOR 2010

Date: Deadline 6 August 2010

Location: All States

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL

With the second UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival set to launch in Sydney on 24 September 2010, emerging animators have a chance to get a leg up in the industry through the Sixty40 Proto-Ninja Award.

The Sixty40 Proto-Ninja Award will consist of $999.99 cash plus a two-month mentorship with Sixty40, a design and animation company that combines the love of creativity with the reality of commercial production.

Entrants must create a new work of between 40 and 60 seconds length, which follows the theme "Underdog".

Deadline for entries is 6th August 2010.

"The focus of the entry should be on telling a story that strikes an emotional chord around the theme of the underdog," said Sixty40's Animation Director Matt Taylor. "So, we're looking for films that are funny, sad, inspirational or evoke some other emotional response."

Production techniques used are completely open and could include stop-frame, traditional 2D, motion graphics, 3D, photography, puppetry, film or video. The result must ensure a compelling experience for the viewer rather than just a display of technical prowess.

"We use the term 'ninja' to signify an animator or designer with superior skills, vision and passion who can be relied on to not only pull their own weight in a studio but also to bring fresh unique qualities to their work. A 'proto-ninja' is a ninja-in-the-making who has not yet had the chance to unleash their talents on the world. The mentorship will give the winner time, resources and guidance to help them develop their film, experience and secret powers on their path towards full Ninja-dom" continues Taylor.

Ten finalists will be screened and the winner announced at the opening night of the UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival, Friday 24 September, 2010. As well, the ten finalists will have their work streamed from the Proto-Ninja award website for a period of 12 months or until the 2011 winner is announced.

In 2010 the Festival will showcase sessions such as the Australian Panorama, SIGGRAPH Highlights and the wonderfully twisted Late Night Bizarre, along with a new batch of animation from France, the US, UK and China to mention a few. After the success of last year's international guest speakers Clare Kitson, former commissioning editor for the UK's Channel 4, and Oscar winning Canadian animator Chris Landreth, 2010 will continue to provide access to the movers and shakers of the global animation industry.

Full details about the competition are available at

Web: http://www.sixty40.com/protoninja.

WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION NSW (WIFT)

Date: March 2010

Location: Sydney

Women in Film & Television NSW (WIFT NSW) is producing 3 film screening events in Sydney to celebrate International Women's Day 2010... with event partners; Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS), NSW Office for Women's Policy, Department of Premier & Cabinet and the TAP Gallery.
Information & bookings: ph 0402 246 601
email: wowfilmfestival@wiftnsw.org.au
www.nsw.wift.org/wow

Monday, 8th March, WIFT INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SHOWCASE at AFTRS Theatre, 130 Bent St, Entertainment Qtr, Moore Park, 6pm for 6.30 pm screening
Tickets: $10 & $8 conc
$5 WIFT.
Drinks & canapes included.
Information & bookings: ph 0402 246 601,
email: wowfilmfestival@wiftnsw.org.au
www.nsw.wift.org/wow

What better way to celebrate International Women's Day than by celebrating the accomplishments of women in the film industry? Join with women filmmakers worldwide to celebrate International Women's Day at the WIFT 5th Anniversary International Short Film Showcase. Best of International short films by women & AFTRS films, Plastic & Look Sharp. Opening address by acclaimed screen producer, Sandra Levy, CEO of the Australian Film, Television & Radio School.

Tuesday 9th March, AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM SHOWCASE (Program 1) at NSW Parliament House Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie St, 12 noon for 12.30 pm screening.
Tickets: $10 / $7 conc
$5 WIFT.
Morning Tea included.
Information & bookings: ph 0402 246 601
email: wowfilmfestival@wiftnsw.org.au
www.nsw.wift.org/wow

Best Australian short films, comedy, drama, documentary and animation, made by Australian women filmmakers. Hon. Jodi McKay MP, NSW Minister for Women will be giving an opening address. Tania Chambers, CEO Screen NSW will introduce. Enjoy morning tea and Meet the Filmmakers; Michelle Blanchard, director/writer of The Party Shoes, Venetia Taylor, director/writer of Terror on the Northside and Sandy Widyanata director/writer of Plastic.

Thursday 11th March. AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM SHOWCASE (Program 2 & 4) at the TAP Gallery, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst.
6pm for 6.30 & 8.30pm
Tickets $10 / $8 conc.
Glass of bubbly & canapes included.
Information & full program details http://www.tapgallery.org.au/events.html/Door sales on the night will start from 5.30pm
Just $10 & $8 conc.
For further information email wowontap@gmail.com

Best Australian short films, comedy, drama and animation. Enjoy a glass of bubbles and mezze kindly donated by Moët Hennessy Australia & New Zealand, and the Almond Bar in Darlinghurst. Then settle in for this high quality film event in the comfortable upstairs setting at the Tap Gallery. Filmmakers Shelley Lauman & Genevieve Clay will be there in support of their films and to have a chat.

Web: http://www.nsw.wfit.org/wow

MELBOURNE CINEMATHEQUE 2010

Date: 2010

Location: Melbourne

Melbourne Cinematheque is a weekly event, secreening films from the history of international cinema at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image every Wednesday.

Melbourne Cinematheque is a passionate independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to screening significant films from the history of international cinema. Continuing in this spirit 2010 will feature retrospectives of Akira Kurosawa, Jacques Demy, Krzysztof Zanussi, Raymond Depardon, storytellers Ernst Lubitsch, Milos Forman and Federico Fellini; the cinema of Perestroika (Soviet films produced during the declaration of glasnost from the 1980's); the films of Maggie Cheung, and Alain Delon. As well as focus nights on Max Ophuls, Eric Rohmer (who sadly passed away recently) Martin Scorsese, and Tod Browning.

---------------------------------

3-17 March @ ACMI : 7.00 pm

THE SWEET LIFE: THE WORLD OF FEDERICO FELLINI
Federico Fellini (1920-93) is one of the most celebrated directors in the history of film, whose oeuvre spans the years from Italian neo-realism to his own maturity as one of the cinema's most idiosyncratic & visually flamboyant directors.

Fellini makes beautiful films, lingering on contemplation: the blindness to the world, when immersed in one's own thought and desires; the liberation of the individual from the superficial organisation of society and social relations. Ignorance became initially a subject of comedy for Fellini, which he later caricatured, the emptiness of a person who is not at one with their being, the world beyond their ego, started to become a lavishly painted conflict ridiculed with the same accomplished touch as the Italian artists of the Baroque period.

For further information please visit the website for specific notes on the Fellini retrospective.

http://www.melbournecinematheque.org

Web: http://www.frenchfilmfestival.org/

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

Date: March 2010

Location: All States

Oh la la! Are we turning 21 already? It seems only yesterday that we held our very first Festival at a time when the idea of a multi-cultural film event was a novel concept. Now more than two decades on, we're at the brink of our biggest and best Festival yet, with a massive 43 new French movies screening at over 600 sessions at 14 locations around Australia throughout March. And following the results of the 2010 Cesar Awards (France's equivalent to the Academy Awards ®) that were held last night in Paris, we're thrilled to announce that the following Festival titles were honoured with key awards:

- SKIRT DAY (Best Actress - Isabelle Adjani)
- IN THE BEGINNING (Best Supporting Actress - Emmanuelle Devos)
- ONE FOR THE ROAD (Best Female Newcomer - Melanie Thierry)
- MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON (Best Adapted Screenplay)

Our first guest is the legendary Jean-Pierre Jeunet, whose extraordinary talent has delighted millions around the world, with films such as AMÉLIE, THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN and DELICATESSEN. Jeunet will be introducing his latest film, MICMACS (Micmacs à Tire-Larigot) - which has been selected as the Festival's national opening night film - at our gala launches in Sydney and Melbourne. MICMACS screens courtesy of Hopscotch Pictures.

Our second key Festival guest is Philippe Lioret, director of the critically acclaimed drama WELCOME, starring Vincent Lindon and newcomer Firat Ayverdi. Lioret will be touring Sydney and Melbourne mid-March to present WELCOME and participate in Q & A sessions with Festival patrons. WELCOME is screening courtesy of Palace Films.

And during the latter stages of our 21st anniversary edition, director Jan Kounen, whose sumptuous period drama, COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY, looks set to beguile Festival audiences, will be visiting Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra to introduce screenings and participate in discussions at Festival forums. COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY will screen at the Festival thanks to Madman Entertainment.

National Dates for the 2010 Alliance Française French Film Festival are:

SYDNEY: 2 - 21 March - Palace Academy, Palace Verona & Palace Norton Street
MELBOURNE: 4 - 21 March - Palace Como, Palace Balwyn, Palace Westgarth and Kino Cinemas
BRISBANE: 17 - 31 March - Palace Centro & Palace Barracks Cinema
PERTH: 17 - 31 March - Cinema Paradiso & Luna on SX
CANBERRA: 18 - 31 March - Greater Union Manuka (Opening Closing Nights at National Film & Sound Archives)
ADELAIDE: 18 - 31 March - Palace Nova Eastend

For booking and screening / Q & A details please visit the Festival's Offical Website at:

Web: http://www.frenchfilmfestival.org/

MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES

Date: April 18, 2010

Location: Melbourne

MELBOURNE
April 18, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

Orchestral movie music has long been a sad and lonely distant cousin to the more familiar and formal classical music of the Masters. Very rarely do we find a piece by Jerry Goldsmith or Miklos Rozsa or Max Steiner played live in the Hamer Hall or the Sydney Opera House alongside the familiar pieces by Bach and Chopin.

So, fed up with waiting for the traditional venues to discover the quality and diversity of movie music and for them to schedule a concert of the classic soundtracks, a small group of enthusiasts have taken matters into their own hands and organised a concert of Music From The Movies in the iconic Astor Theatre in Melbourne.

After all, there is nothing like a concert of LIVE! music!! And this event has the added spice of being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear music that is very rarely played live in concert in Australia.

There will be some classics old and new, some well-known pieces along with a few obscure ones, and the quiet and introspective pieces side by side with the full-on action pieces.

Most of the concert is being devoted to three of the greatest movie scores ever written. The centre piece of the first half of the concert will be highlights from Miklos Rozsa's unforgettable music from BEN HUR. The centre-piece of the second half of the concert will be selections from the fabulous music Jerry Goldsmith wrote for PLANET OF THE APES. And the concert will end with the Australian premiere of a new arrangement of Max Steiner's immortal music from GONE WITH THE WIND.

In the first half we will also hear the epic and energetic music from CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Basil Poledouris, Ennio Morricone?s much-loved music from THE MISSION and the little-known and rarely-performed music from THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD by Bernard Herrmann.

Other music in the concert will include Trevor Jones' stirring music from THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS and two contrasting musical visions of cinema's most feared monster - the Alien. A selection from James Horner's music for ALIENS will be heard in the first half and listeners will get the opportunity to compare it with a very different interpretation offered by Elliot Goldenthal in his score for ALIEN 3 after intermission.

All the music will be played by the 70 members of the Victorian Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Gerald Keuneman.

WHEN: April 18, 2010 @ 2.30 pm
WHERE: The Astor Theatre, Cnr Dandenong Rd & Chapel St, St. Kilda, Melbourne

For more details visit http://www.musicfromthemovies.com.au

Web: http://www.musicfromthemovies.com.au

20TH MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL OPENS WITH MIN KYU-DONG’S ANTIQUE

Date: 25 February 2010

Location: Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Thursday 25 February, 2010 - The 20th Melbourne Queer Film Festival will open with South Korean director Min Kyu-Dong's unpredictable, wildly inventive Antique on March 17 at the Astor Theatre. The eleven day festival, one of the biggest queer film festivals in the world, will close with Brazilian director Marcelo Laffitte's Elvis and Madona.

If cakes are your indulgence, get along to the utterly scrumptious opening night comedy/drama Antique which follows the antics of four men from various backgrounds all looking for the same thing. Sun-Woo is famous for turning even the straightest man gay, but can Jin-Hyuk, the straightest of straight men, resist his charms?

The films screening at the festival will be in competition for the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film ($5000) and Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary ($2500).

2010 will celebrate 20 years of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, one of the oldest queer films festivals in the world. Over the past 19 years it is estimated that over 190,000 people have attended the Festival and other MQFF events. The festival opens on Wednesday 17 March at The Astor - with all other festival screenings taking place at ACMI and Greater Union.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the full program VISIT www.mqff.com.au

Web: http://www.mqff.com.au

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

Date: 22 March 2010

Location: Cremorne Orpheum, Sydney

Award winning documentary and short film to screen in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day.

World Down Syndrome Day pays tribute to the achievements of people with Down Syndrome and in celebration, a screening of the new Australian documentary, "Dance Like Nobody's Watching", and Tropfest-winning short film, "Be My Brother", will be held on March 22 at the Cremorne Orpheum Cinema, Cremorne Sydney, with all proceeds going to Down Syndrome NSW.

Both films share stories of people with Down syndrome and they will inspire you to take affirmative action in your own life, to help break down social barriers and bring about meaningful change.

"Dance Like Nobody's Watching", which recently picked up the Best Society Concern Award at the Sichiuan TV Festival 'Gold Panda' Awards in China, follows the journey of Paul Matley, a charismatic young man with Down Syndrome, as he meets with teachers, doctors, parents and members of the general public to try to uncover what it means to have Down Syndrome in Australia in the 21st Century.

The documentary is not just about Down Syndrome, it is about all disabilities and how we treat people with disabilities.

The film's director Elizabeth Collins explains, "The ultimate intention of the documentary is to make the audience begin thinking and talking about Down syndrome and disability, and hopefully start to bring about positive social change."

Also set to screen on this night is the short film "Be My Brother", directed by young filmmaker Genevieve Clay who took out the main prize at 2009's Tropfest with the film. Clay was inspired to make Be My Brother after meeting the film's star, Gerard O'Dwyer, who has Down syndrome. Armed with a good sense of humour, this is a warm-hearted drama which manages to challenge prejudices head on.

"Dance Like Nobody's Watching" director Elizabeth Collins and star Paul Matley will participate in a Q&A after the screening, and are available for media interviews.

When: 6.30pm for 7pm, Monday, 22 March 2010
Where: Cremorne Orpheum Cinema, 380 Military Road, Cremorne
Cost: Suggested donation of $20
Bookings Contact:
Priscilla on events@dsansw.org.au, 02 9841 4404 or via the website
http://www.dsansw.org.au

Web: http://www.dsansw.org.au

13th SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL 201

Date: March 2010

Location: St Kilda

Spanish women - a lingering look, classy contemporary cinema & a Colombian cinema coup!

Honoured by the Spanish Government in 2009 as the most important Spanish cultural event in Australia, The Spanish Film Festival is back for its 13th year with a programme that will show you why! Over 50 films of the best in contemporary Spanish language films from Spain and Latin America will be winging their way to Australia to work their Spanish storytelling magic for a wide variety of audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide in May 2010 in the form of features, shorts and documentaries.

In 2010 the Spanish Film Festival builds on the diverse program of screenings and events that has become its strong trademark.

Check the website for the Festival programme.
www.spanishfilmfestival.com/
Sydney: Wed 5 - Sun 16 May at Palace Norton Street and Academy Twin Cinemas & The Chauvel
Melbourne: Wed 12 - Sun 23 May at Palace Cinema Como & Kino Cinemas
Brisbane: Thu 20 - Sun 30 May at Palace Centro Cinemas
Adelaide: Thu 13 - Sun 16 May at Palace Nova Eastend
Canberra: Thu 6 - Sun 16 May at GU Manuka

Web: www.spanishfilmfestival.com

AUDI FESTIVAL OF GERMAN FILMS

The 9th annual AUDI FESTIVAL OF GERMAN FILMS has a heady mix of ingredients guaranteed to tempt the most jaded cinematic appetite. With 30 new features, a 'menu' that includes a course devoted to culinary comedies and a 'mixed platter' of gala launches, special guests, discussion panels and the ever-popular Golden Gnome Audience Award, the 2010 Festival will have audiences demanding a second helping!

With more than 170 screenings over 14 days across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and, for the first time, Adelaide, from late April to early May, the Festival will open in most cities with a gala preview of SOUL KITCHEN (courtesy of Sharmill films) from renowned director Fatih Akin (THE EDGE OF HEAVEN), which dazzled critics at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Prize, Young Cinema Award and a Golden Lion nomination, whilst Sydney and Perth will launch with WHISKY WITH VODKA, a satirical look at the vagaries of filmmaking that garnered director Andreas Dresen the 'Best Director' Award at the prestigious 2009 Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

2010 FESTIVAL DATES & VENUES:

Sydney: 21 April - 02 May
Chauvel Cinema /Palace Norton Street

Melbourne: 22 April - 02 May
Palace Cinema Como / Palace Brighton Bay

Perth: 22 April - 26 April
Cinema Paradiso

Brisbane: 28 April - 04 May
Palace Centro

Adelaide: 7 May - 09 May
Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas

VISIT THE FESTIVAL'S WEBSITE AT:
http://www.goethe.de/australia/

Web: http://www.goethe.de/australia/

NATIONAL FILM & SOUND : SOUTHE

Date: 24 February - 7 March

Location: Melbourne

Many of us have travelled to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, but how many of us have seen an Indonesian love story, a Malay musical or a Thai slasher movie? Southeast Asia has a burgeoning film industry that produces more than 200 films per year but very few of these films make it into Australian cinemas.

The National Film and Sound Archive's Arc cinema and the Australian National University's Southeast Asia Centre are giving Canberra film lovers, students of Southeast Asia and anyone interested in the region the opportunity to discover some of the most exciting new films from Southeast Asia with Regional Intersections, a vibrant program of premiere films screening from 24 February to 7 March.

Indonesian box office hit The Dreamers (Sang Pemimpi) will open the season on Wednesday, 24 February at 7pm. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Riri Riza and based on a bestselling novel, The Dreamers follows the trio from Riza's tremendously popular previous film The Rainbow Troopers (Laskar Pelangi), as they grapple with adolescence in small town Sumatra.

The NFSA is delighted to announce that director Riri Riza and producer Mira Lesmana will introduce this Australian premiere screening of The Dreamers and participate in a Q&A session after the film. Riza and Lesmana will also attend screenings of The Dreamers in Melbourne at the RMIT Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street, on Sunday 28 February at 3.30pm and 7pm. Tickets available at the door.

Visit the Arc cinema calendar online at
www.nfsa.gov.au for details.
Tickets: $10 / $8 concession

Film information and session times available online at
http://www.nfsa.gov.au/

Web: http://www.goethe.de/australia/

OTHERFILM EVENTS

Date: Feb-May 2010

Location: BRISBANE

Otherfilm is a collective based in Brisbane, Australia, dedicated to avant-garde, experimental, abstract, expanded and other film. We express this dedication through screening programs, performance events, exhibitions, workshops, articles, research, discussions and arguments.

Abject Leader is a cine-sound organ based Brisbane, Australia performing with cinematic materials and apparatus, slipping between materialist investigation, sculptural forms, darkroom composition and bodily intervention.

A massive update of activities spread far and wide including imminent San Franciscan avant-garde adventures, steadily approaching sonic delights in Brisbane, and a mega list of horizon-dwelling OtherFilm events including two special IMA projects with luminaries Anthony McCall and Ken Jacobs.

Your OtherFilm Curators are Sally Golding, Joel Stern, Danni Zuvela

For the full program, visit the website:
http://www.otherfilm.org/

Web: http://www.otherfilm.org/

HEART OF GOLD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Date: 11 – 14th March 2010

Location: Sunshine Coast

Gympie Civic Centre
Gympie, Sunshine Coast QLD
11 - 14th March 2010

An international film festival set in the gold rush heartland of the Sunshine Coast, screens for the 4th year from March 11-14th 2010. The Heart of Gold International Film Festival is the first film festival in Australia to exclusively screen entertaining, thought provoking, and positively skewed films. Regarded as one of Australia's preeminent film events, the Heart of Gold International Film Festival 2010 will present a total of 171 films. 166 shorts and 5 feature length films will screen showcasing the work of filmmakers from 22 countries.

The 2010 program features quality films across all genres: comedy, drama, animation documentaries and student films have been selected for their excellence in film making. Amongst the 171 films is Australian actor Bud Tingwell's last film titled The Last Bottle. Frank Woodley (of Lano & Woodley comedy duo fame) brings more humour to the program through his short animation Chicken of God. Kat Stewart [Underbelly] appears in a strong supporting role in a beautiful film titled Trampoline and David Wenham delivers a classic performance in a movie titled Glenn Owen Dodds [GOD] which carries the tagline -"Want to know the meaning of life? You've got five minutes." This award winning film will have its Australian premier at the Heart of Gold International Film Festival.

Heart of Gold International Film Festival offers special events, documentaries, workshops, seminar programs and the very popular Filmmaker Presents sessions along with its extensive short film program from around the world that will collectively inspire you, make you laugh and warm your heart.

Check out the website for the full programme:
http://www.heartofgold.com.au/

Web: http://www.heartofgold.com.au

OPEN CHANNEL AND CINEMA NOVA

Location: MELBOURNE

Open Channel and Cinema Nova present a one-off screening plus Q&A of Oscar shortlisted documentary Burma VJ.

BURMA VJ (Anders Ostergaard, 2009, 84 mins)

Thursday February 18, 7.30pm
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon St - Carlton

Unclassified - Admission 18+

In September 2007, after decades of oblivion, Burma became headline news across the globe when Buddhist monks led a massive rebellion against the military regime. More than 100,000 people took to the streets protesting a cruel dictatorship that has held the country hostage for more than 40 years. With the country closed to foreign media, reporting of events fell to a handful of young Burmese Video Journalists, working clandestinely and at great risk to document events and keep the world informed.

Directed by Anders Ostergaard, Burma VJ tells the story of these young reporters and, for the first time, assembles their extraordinary footage to tell the complete story of the September rebellion. The film offers a unique insight into high-risk journalism and dissidence in a police state, and - as the journalists become targets of the military - is a compelling reminder of the power of the camera. Burma VJ plays like a thriller, all the more scary because it is true.

Burma VJ has received more than thirty international awards at festivals including Sundance and Berlin and is is nominated for this year's Academy Awards - Best Documentary.

This one-off screening will be followed by a Q&A hosted by Melbourne-based Video Journalist Carmela Baranowska.

$11, $8 (concession, Open Channel members)
Tickets/Info: http://www.cinemanova.com.au/Trailer - http://www.burmavjmovie.com/

THE WINDOWS ON EUROPE FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS IN 2010!

CANBERRA: 6 - 14 Feb at Dendy Canberra
SYDNEY: 13 - 21 Feb at Dendy Opera Quays
BRISBANE: 20 - 28 Feb at Dendy Canberra

The Windows on Europe Film Festival returns for its fifth season, bringing a dazzling program of award winning films to screens across Australia and New Zealand.

This year the festival takes cinema lovers on a tour across 17 countries, with films spanning drama, romance, thriller, comedy and documentary.

The festival comes courtesy of the European Union Delegation and the European Union Member States in Canberra.

With an emphasis on award winning films, the program reflects a great mix from the past five years, and also includes a few older European classics. Countries represented in the 2010 line up are: Greece, Finland, Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Cyprus, Germany, Hungry, Czech Republic, Austria/Luxembourg, Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK.

FOR A FULL LIST OF FILMS AND SYNOPSIS, PLEASE VISIT http://www.dendy.com.au/

Web: http://www.dendy.com.au

YOUNG AT HEART SYDNEY'S 5TH SENIORS FILM FESTIVAL

Date: March 25 - 28

CHAPLIN, ELVIS & TOLSTOY MEET AT THE MOVIES

Young at Heart, Sydney's Seniors Film Festival, celebrates its 5th big year in 2010 with four days of exciting cinema and tickets from just $5 for seniors at Sydney's Dendy Opera Quays.

Returning March 25 - 28 as a flagship event of NSW Seniors Week, the popular event features film premieres, restored classics, Q&A's with visiting artists and free filmmaking workshops.

The Festival will open on March 25 with a day dedicated to the great Charlie Chaplin: a screening of MODERN TIMES alongside THE BOOT CAKE, a new Australian documentary presented by director Kathryn Millard about the enduring love for the Little Tramp around the globe.

The event will close 4 days later with a special preview of THE LAST STATION, a love story set during the last year of the life of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, featuring Oscar-nominated performances by Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer.

In between, audiences will be treated to the return of beloved classics on the big screen. Sure to be popular are the great musicals of Vincente Minnelli, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS and THE BAND WAGON, the latter introduced by legendary performer Toni Lamond. Elvis fans are in for a treat too, with a remastered print of the seminal 1970 documentary ELVIS: THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

Our "Tough Sheilas" program unearths great Aussie films in partnership with the National Film & Sound Archives. Veteran director Donald Crombie will present CADDIE and THE KILLING OF ANGEL STREET, alongside a restored print of FRAN starring Noni Hazelhurst.

Two new documentaries will have their Australian premieres at the Festival: HATS OFF - the fascinating portrait of a 93 year-old New York model and actress Mimi Weddell - and MS SENIOR SWEETHEART, a look at the strange and fascinating world of beauty pageants.

The Festival will also be celebrating the best Australian short films starring actors over 60, at the COCHLEAR YOUNG AT HEART SHORT FILM AWARDS. It's your chance to walk the red carpet and rub shoulders with some of Australia's most talented actors.

Tickets go on sale March 1st from Dendy Box Office, on 02 9247 3800 or at http://www.dendy.com.au/
For further details visit http://www.youngatheart.net.au/ To receive a program in the post, call 02 9281 5608.
Young at Heart is presented by The Festivalists and Ageing, Disability & Home Care, NSW Department of Human Services.

Web: http://www.youngatheart.net.au

WHAT'S ON AT POPCORN TAXI?

Location: Bondi Junction

WATCH THE FILMS. MEET THE MAKERS.
Founded in 1999 by independent filmmakers Gary Doust and Matt Wheeldon, Popcorn Taxi is a regular in-depth film event where filmmakers and enthusiasts can meet, watch films of all types, and discuss the filmmaking process.

What makes Popcorn Taxi unique is the focus on the filmmakers' craft and careers, rather than tabloid-like gossip. The moderator/interviewers (often filmmakers themselves), aim in most sessions to explore why the filmmakers made the choices they did, and how they brought their visions to the screen. The guests are usually Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Editors, Cinematographers, Visual Effects Supervisors, Designers and Composers.

****** NEXT SYDNEY POPCORN TAXI EVENTS ******
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KICK ASS
Thursday, March 18

Plus audience Q&A with writer, producer and director extraordinaire: Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Stardust),
Live from London!

Popcorn Taxi is proud to present a super-early exclusive screening of Matthew Vaughn's highly anticipated adaptation of the cult comic book, Kick-Ass.

"How come nobody's ever tried to be a superhero?"

When Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson, Nowhere Boy) - ordinary New York teenager and rabid comic-book geek dons a green-and-yellow internet-bought wetsuit to become the no-nonsense vigilante, Kick-Ass, he soon finds an answer to his own question: because it hurts.

But, overcoming all the odds, the eager yet inexperienced Dave quickly becomes a phenomenon, capturing the imagination of the public. However, he's not the only superhero out there - the fearless and highly-trained father-daughter crime-fighting duo, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) have been slowly but surely taking down the criminal empire of local Mafioso, Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong). And, as Kick-Ass gets drawn into their no-holds-barred world of bullets and bloodletting with Frank's son, Chris, now reborn as Kick-Ass's arch-nemesis, Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Superbad) - the stage is set for a final showdown between the forces of good and evil - in which the DIY hero will have to live up to his name. Or die trying...

This is a super-early chance to see the film that's got more buzz around it than a chainsaw factory - and then chat exclusively to the experienced producer and director, Matthew Vaughn.

POPCORN TAXI PRESENTS:
KICK-ASS
plus audience Q&A with Matthew Vaughn live from London.
Rated: MA 15+
Time: 7.30pm SHARP!
Date: Thursday, March 18
Where: Event Cinemas Bondi Junction
Address: 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction.
Price: $25 / $23 conc.

For more information contact Chris Murray on 0403 091 508 / chris@popcorntaxi.com.au

Kick-Ass releases nationally on April 8 through Universal Pictures.
Tickets available now from http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au

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More information http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au

Web: http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au

WHAT'S ON AT ACMI?

Date: MELBOURNE

LA MIRADA ANNOUNCES SPECIAL GUESTS
FESTIVAL DATES: Thursday, 1 to Sunday, 11 April 2010

La Mirada Film Festival 2010 is delighted to announce multi award winning actor ANTONIO DE LA TORRE and acclaimed director JOSE ANTONIO SALGOT as special guests of the 2010 festival.

Antonio de la Torre will present the films, Fat People (Gordos) and The Island Inside (La Isla Interior) both having their Australian premieres in this year's festival.

Jose Antonio Salgot will present Mother Dearly Beloved (Mater Amatisima), which has been selected by Pedro Almodóvar for his 'Almodóvar Presents' program in this year's La Mirada.

Antonio de la Torre and Jose Antonio Salgot will be in Melbourne on Thursday, 1 April for the opening night of La Mirada.

FESTIVAL DATES: Thursday, 1 to Sunday, 11 April 2010

MEET THE ACTOR and Q&A with Antonio de la Torre
Fat People (Gordos) - Saturday 10 April 6.15pm Australian Premiere
The Island Inside (La Isla Interior) - Sunday, 11 April 3.30pm - Australian Premiere

MEET THE DIRECTOR and Q&A with Jose Antonio Salgot
Mother Dearly Beloved (Mater Amatisima), - Thurs 8 April Australian Premiere - Almodóvar Presents
Bookings: www.lamirada.org.au or www.acmi.net.au/ticketing.htm

For full program details go to http://http://www.lamirada.org.au/
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JAZZ ON FILM
Sat, 1 May - 8 May 2010
Curated by Spiro Economopoulos

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image's hugely popular annual offering to Melbourne International Jazz Festival audiences returns with another boutique film season exploring the world of Jazz on Film

Jazz on Film once again steps inside the world of jazz: the scenes, the sounds and some of the people that have been captured on film from the 50's to today, looking at the many incarnations of jazz music and offering up a glimpse of its future.

The season opens with first time director Damien Chazelle's black and white musical Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009). Taking cues from both MGM as well as verite-style musicals such as Umbrella's of Cherbourg, the song and dance numbers come as a natural overflow of the lovelorn characters emotions. It stars Jason Palmer as the male lead Guy, one of Down Beat Magazine's top twenty-five "Trumpeters for the Future" and features a score of all original music composed by Justin Hurwitz and recorded by the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra.

Jazz on Film runs from Saturday 1 May - Saturday 8 May at ACMI. Visit www.acmi.net.au for more information on the season.

For more information about the Melbourne International Jazz Festival visit http://www.melbournejazz.com

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JEAN PAUL GAULTIER ON FILM
Thurs 11 Mar - Fri 19 Mar
Curated by James Nolen

Lights, Camera, Gaultier! The Australian Centre for the Moving Image together with L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival present a film program dedicated to the career, creations and influences of the 'enfant terrible' of French fashion - Jean Paul Gaultier.

2010 marks forty years since Gaultier started his career in fashion at an after school job assisting designer Pierre Cardin and he is now not only one of the most infamous fashion designers but also one of the most revered Paris couturiers - rare for a self taught designer. Gaultier and his designs are also interweaved throughout the history of popular culture - his Madonna's Blonde Ambition-era cone bras, the controversial skirts for men collection, as well as his stints as a presenter on cult UK TV show Eurotrash - all confirmed him as a style icon. His designs have also been praised by a galaxy of starlets from Mickey Rourke to Marion Cotillard

With Jean Paul Gaultier on Film ACMI Film Programmer James Nolen has compiled a program that charts the course of Gaultier's career from his early inspirations to his most recent creations. "More than any other fashion designer working today, Jean Paul Gaultier has a deep connection to film. It was the French 1944 film Falbalas, filled with the work of couturier Marcel Rochas, which would inspire Gaultier to become a fashion designer. He continues to influence fashion and draws inspiration, especially from the silver screen. This is a rare opportunity to explore the work of one of the great fashion designers, on the big screen and a world first!" said James.

Check the website for further details.

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WINDOWS ON EUROPE FILM FESTIVAL
Friday 12 March - Tuesday 16 March
Full $12, Concession $9

Presented for the first time in Melbourne, this annual festival brings together a collection of films drawing on the diverse and rich cultures of Europe.

Curated by the Delegation of the European Union in Australia with films provided by EU member states... BULGARIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FINLAND, FRANCE, GREECE, HUNGARY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SWEDEN, UNITED KINGDOM

Check the website for further details.

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FOR TICKETING AND FURTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: http://www.acmi.net.au

Web: http://www.acmi.net.au