Warburton is gearing up for the annual Warburton Film Festival, with a special guest appearance from a multi-award-winning director and producer.
The festival is taking place from 13 to 15 June 2025 at The Arts Centre, Warburton, with the event to be officially opened by Yarra Ranges Council mayor Jim Child.
Yarra Ranges Film Society (YRFS), which organises the three-day festival, said this year’s event marks a special milestone as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the festival.
YRFS co-president and Warburton Film Festival co-ordinator Rebecca Bowman said the committee has chosen seven films to feature over the weekend, with a mix of genres and countries of origin.
“Our carefully curated selection includes films from Spain, Ireland, Australia, USA, Italy, France, and Denmark. We’ve also included a classic, in tribute to the late Gene Hackman, one of the greatest actors of his generation whose acting career spanned over four decades,” she said.
The festival program includes award-winning films My Sailor My Love, There’s Still Tomorrow, and The Teacher Who Promised the Sea.
Opening the festival on Friday is Australian documentary, Mozart’s Sister, a musical- mystery that explores the lost talent of Maria-Anna Mozart.
“The documentary’s director and producer Madeleine Hetherton-Miau will be joining us as our special guest, and she will be leading a conversation with the audience about the making of the film after the screening,” Rebecca said.
As in previous years, the best entries from the festival’s short film competition, Show Us Your Shorts, will be screened before each feature film.
But organisers this year have gone one step further.
“In honour of our 40-year celebration, we have created a special shorts-dedicated session on Sunday. This session will include the announcement of prize winners, followed by a retrospective selection of short films since the competition’s beginning in 2008, including former Golden Shorts winners from previous years,” Rebecca said.
As always, Warburton’s local cafes offer a warm welcome to all filmgoers with their delicious fresh food and quality coffee, embodying the town’s charming hospitality.
“We also host a Festival Dinner on Saturday night at the Arts Centre in Warburton. It’s a great way to socialise with fellow filmgoers, but we recommend booking early, as places are limited,” Rebecca said.
YRFS acknowledges the support of the Yarra Ranges Council and the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank to continue to help make this festival a reality.
Bookings can be made online, by phone on 1300 368 333 or in person at The Arts Centre, Warburton or The Memo, Healesville.
To view the program go to warburtonfilmfestival.com.au/WFF/Booking_Information.html
