By Derek Schlennstedt
Each year around the middle of June, capacity crowds shuffle through the Warburton arts centre to enjoy a thrilling variety of internationally coveted movies and lesser-known local pearls.
This year from Friday 16 June to Sunday 18 June, the Warburton Film Festival will celebrate movies of every kind from emerging local directors in the Yarra Valley to international movies from diverse countries.
This year eight highly acclaimed contemporary feature films, including drama, comedy and documentaries from five different countries will be featured, and a special tribute will be given to the great Australian film director Paul Cox.
Paul Cox was also a long-time patron of the Yarra Ranges Film Society and Warburton Film Festival Society and sadly passed away last year.
Keith Wade, president of the Yarra Ranges Film Society said that despite being ill, Paul had tried to come to last year’s showing of one of his films.
“He was a patron of the film society and he’s made some quite dramatic Australian films,” Mr Wade said.
“His last film was shown at last year’s festival and he was intending to come along and introduce the film.
“He was quite ill but was determined to come and on the Saturday afternoon we heard the news he passed away.”
The festival includes a variety of hand-picked movies and films, starting on the Friday night and going until the Sunday night.
Its not just movies though and directors from some of the films will be there to introduce their work – including one of the most dramatic films of the festival, Tanna, which is a modern day Romeo and Juliet set on a remote Pacific island.
“The most dramatic one is on Sunday, where we have the film Tanna and one of the co-directors is coming along to introduce the film.”
“The festival and the films accommodate everyone, including movie buffs and people like you and me who are just enthusiastic about movies,” Mr Wade said.
Tickets are selling fast, so you’ll have to be quick.
To buy tickets, call 1300 368 333 or email boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
