Rob Zombie, Russian women with tails, and the last child on Earth are just some of the highlights from the 20th anniversary program of the Canberra International Film Festival. The 11-day program of acclaimed local and international films kicks off on 27 October 2016 in our nation’s capital, and includes highlights from the festival’s history as well.
The ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr officially launched this year’s Canberra International Film Festival program this morning at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) at a media event. Of particular note is this festival’s strong focus on supporting women in the film industry and presenting strong female characters on screen, with 8 feature films in the program directed by women.
The opening night film is Russia’s ZOOLOGY, as director Ivan I. Tverdovsky weaves a magic-realist drama about a woman who grows a tail and turns her life around. Australian premieres include MA’ ROSA, the Cannes winner for Best Actress this year; PLAY YOUR GENDER, Stephanie Clattenburg’s documentary about women in the music industry; the Purple Rain inspired AKOUNAK TEDALAT TAHA TAZOUGHAI; and AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY, unmasking Laura Albert, the author of who may have committed the greatest literary hoax of the last century. Hungary’s KILLS ON WHEELS and Argentina’s HORTENSIA also make their local debuts at the festival.
Australian fare includes a Canberra focus with Canberra story FOOTPRINTS ON OUR LAND, and exclusive preview of sci-fi outing BLUE WORLD ORDER. Documentaries DESTINATION ARNOLD, the acclaimed ELLA, and HOTEL COOLGARDIE also join feature films BAD GIRL, Stephen Sewell’s EMBEDDED, and anniversary editions of Australian classics CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION and STORM BOY.
Other international highlights include Halloween special 31 from Rob Zombie; the critical darling TONI ERDMANN; Closing Night Film CINEMA TRAVELLERS; and Koji Fukada’s HARMONIUM, winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes.
Visit ciff.com.au for full program.
