The Australian Film Festival officially launched its 2012 program today, with the opening night film Swerve set to debut at the Randwick Ritz on 7 March.
Swerve stars Vince Colosimo, Emma Booth, David Lyons and features an appearance by Roy Billing. It debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year, and this will mark the Sydney premiere of the film.
Other major screenings will include Sydney Film Festival hit, the criminal love story Hail (March 8); Lincoln Fenner’s New York International Film Festival award winning documentary More4Me (March 9) and Jack McCoy’s surfing film, A Deeper Shade of Blue (March 16). Sydney Film Festival’s LBF (March 14), starring Toby Schmitz and Gracie Otto, will also screen.
Recent Australian critical hit, Jonathan Teplitzky’s Burning Man (10 March) will show at the festival, along with a free screening of AACTA Award winning RED DOG for free at Coogee Beach (10 March, Dusk).
The television program celebrates the 40th anniversary of the 1970s controversial Australian classic Number 96, with a special screening on Tuesday March 13 at the Star Cinema on George Street. For just $10, guests can see two episodes from the series, see a Q&A with creator David Sale and be treated to some “surprise cast members”.
The Australian Film Festival closes on March 17 with the world premiere of Redd Inc., a horror film that sees a boss terminate his employees in the most conclusive way possible.
There will also be a screenplay competition worth $1000, and a panel celebrating 30 years of the Australian Director’s Guild featuring Gillian Armstrong (Little Women), Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) and Rowan Woods (Little Fish, The Boys) join the panel for this intimate two-hour discussion on filmmaking, moderated by AFF’s Festival Director, Barry Watterson.
For more information, or to book tickets, hit up the official website at www.australianfilmfestival.com.au
Went to this opening last night, Swerve was a fantastic film! More people need to get to this event!