Sydney’s June film fix is back on the menu – and you don’t even have to pack an umbrella.
For a while there, it looked like the 2020 film scene had been completely cancelled. As one film and festival was cancelled due to lockdown measures during this global pandemic, the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) joined the ranks of the fallen.
Yet like the light from a projector in the dark, there is a glimmer of hope of film fans. SFF announced that it will go virtual and national for the first time in its history this year, ensuring that the 67th SFF wont have to be postponed until 2021.
Running from 10 to 21 June, the yet-to-be-announced line-up will include a selection of world premieres of compelling true stories from some of Australia’s most exciting documentary filmmakers, a program of shorts from rising stars of the Australian film industry, and films from Europe’s most cutting-edge female directors.
Read more: SFF 2019 Sydney Film Festival wrap-up and reflections
“This year’s special 67th Sydney Film Festival: Virtual Edition and Awards is all about bringing audiences across the nation together at a particularly challenging time in celebration of filmmakers and particularly the Australian film industry,” SFF Director Nashen Moodley said in a statement.
Back in March, the message was less optimistic. “It is with deep regret that, for the first time in its history, the Sydney Film Festival board and management must announce the cancellation of this year’s Festival, planned for June 3rd to 14th,” announced the SFF via social media.
Since then, SFF has also announced that it will be part of the global We Are One Film Festival running May 28 to 7 June on YouTube. SFF will contribute 5 hours worth of Australia content.
So, the June calendar is looking just as it should again, much to the delight of isolated film fans across the city and nation. “It is two weeks in June when Sydney is as we know and love it – open, alive, inquisitive, inspired and connected – and we with it,” added Nashen. “SFF is when we came together to discover, discuss, explore; to be transformed and always entertained. So, from our homes the journey continues!” At least this time we won’t have to run in the rain between cinemas.
Tickets for SFF 2020 go on sale 27 May 2020 when the line-up goes online at their official site. It’s a delight to be able to say that The Reel Bits will be covering SFF once again this year.
