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FROM THE DESK OF THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
The post-MIFF period is always a whirlwind, no time for wind down. September sees me on the big white bird direct to TO-ON-CA. That’s Toronto Film Festival or even TIFF to most of us. This year’s festival was as big as ever, with a City to City focus on Mumbai, more and more red carpet galas, the always strong Midnight Madness section, very strong documentary programming, high profile premieres and of course the best of international cinema. Highlights for me include: FRANCES HA, Noah Baumbach’s surprisingly light and charming mumblecore-meets-nouvelle vague NYC love and laugh fest starring a radiant Greta Gerwig; GINGER AND ROSA, a devastating and engrossing 60s set tale of two girls (one of my favourite genres, if there were one) starring Elle Fanning, and LEVIATHAN, an intense experience of a film from our friends at the Ethnographic Sensory Lab (Sweetgrass, Foreign Parts). If ever a film were Japanese noise metal incarnate, this is it. MIFF 2010 guest Matías Piñeiro is back with his second instalment in contemporary urban tales inspired by Shakespeare, with VIOLA, his female-centric, Buenos Aires-set riff on Twelfth Night. These last two films were part of the newly-expanded Wavelengths program, my favourite part of the festival, the section for discovery and surprise.
All the big new English-language films take centre stage at TIFF – Rian Johnson’s LOOPER, David O. Russell’s SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, Robert Redford’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, Roger Michell’s HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON, the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer’s CLOUD ATLAS, Paul Thomas Anderson’s THE MASTER, Mike Newell’s GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Keep an eye out for these releases in the coming months. TIFF is also a great place to catch up with the new films from Venice – including 103 year-old Mañoel de Oliveira’s GEBO AND THE SHADOW, starring the legendary Michael Lonsdale, Claudia Cardinale and Jeanne Moreau; Olivier Assayas’s stunning SOMETHING IN THE AIR, Terrence Malick’s TO THE WONDER, and Harmony Korine’s curiously captivating slo-mo T'n'A-fest SPRING BREAKERS, Valeria Sarmiento’s LINES OF WELLINGTON and Takeshi Kitano’s OUTRAGE BEYOND.
Lots of social events and discussion panels, bad coffee (but great tea!!), always pleasant Canadian hospitality, great weather, and a few friendly MIFF faces working at the festival, made for a satisfying TIFF 2012. Then it was on to New York City for a few weeks break, in which I … saw lots of films! Not only was the NYFF on but I pretty much camped out at Anthology Film Archives in the Lower East Side for some amazing and eclectic celluloid treats (including the Jean Epstein sound films). In New Haven, CT, American filmmaker Bob Rafelson came up to visit with FIVE EASY PIECES, James Ivory and Julian Sands were there with A ROOM WITH A VIEW and it was great to indulge in some other 35mm treats at Yale University’s wonderful Whitney cinema.
So I’m feeling all very inspired with some exciting ideas for MIFF 2013. It’s great to be back in Melbourne though where there will be beautiful spring weather soon (yes? please….?) with lots of festivals, films and great music coming up in the next few months. I’m particularly excited about seeing both Goblin at Melbourne Music Week and Lee Ranaldo at Melbourne Festival. Stay tuned as we announce our 2013 dates in the coming weeks.
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2013 MIFF Submissions opening soonWe are opening our early bird submissions for feature and short films on Monday 29 October 2012. Regular submissions open on Friday 23 November 2012, but if you get in during our early bird period you can take advantage of our reduced submission fees.
Every year MIFF screens the best films from around the world, including new discoveries from the films submitted to us so make sure we get a chance to consider your masterpiece.
We are accepting feature length and short fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films for the 2013 festival. Eligible short films are screened in competition in the Shorts Awards, which are Academy®, AACTA and BAFTA accredited and come with cash prizes.
More information about submitting to MIFF for the 2013 festival will be available at miff.com.au soon.
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WIN A DINNER FOR TWO AT No35If access to priority queues, exclusive pre-sales, year-round complimentary screenings and members only discounts and giveaways hadn't already convinced you to become a MIFF Member, here's one more mouthwatering reason.
Thanks to MIFF sponsor Sofitel, if you join or renew your MIFF membership by October 31, you will go in the draw to win a dinner for two at Sofitel's award winning No35 restaurant, valued at $300. Expect nothing short of a gastronomic experience with the best Victoria has to offer – amazing produce, inspirational food, exceptional wines and views to die for.
Conditions – Not redeemable for cash
Subject to availability
Valid for dinner Sun – Fri
Valid for 6 months.
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MIFF PREMIERE FUND NEWS
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THE WEDDING PARTY in cinemas now
MIFF Premiere Fund-supported The Wedding Party is in cinemas now in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, with Brisbane and Perth to follow.
Starring Josh Lawson, Isabel Lucas, Kestie Morassi, Steve Bisley, Essie Davis, Geoff Paine, Nadine Garner, Adam Zwar, Heather Mitchell, Rhonda Burchmore and Bill Hunter, the romantic comedy was directed by Amanda Jane and produced by Nicole Minchin.
PATRICK re-booted starting production for MIFF 2013
MIFF Premiere Fund-supported Patrick, a reimagining of the 1970s classic thriller, starts production in Melbourne in November.
Starring Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Muriel's Wedding), Sharni Vinson (Bait 3D) and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Gosford Park), the film will be directed by Mark Hartley (who directed fellow MIFF Premiere Fund-supported films Not Quite Hollywood and Machete Maidens Unleashed!) and produced by Antony Ginnane (who produced the original Patrick in 1978).
Patrick will World Premiere at MIFF 2013 as part of the MIFF Premiere Fund slate.
THESE FINAL HOURS STARTS SHOOTING
Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) and Daniel Henshall (Snowtown) topline the cast of the MIFF Premiere Fund-supported These Final Hours, which is shooting this month in Perth.
The film, which portrays the last day of the Earth, also stars Jessica De Gouw (Kath & Kimderella), Sarah Snook (Jessabelle) and Lynette Curran (The Boys).
Executive produced by Robert Connolly (Balibo), the film is the feature debut of writer-director Zak Hilditch and producer Liz Kearney.
These Final Hours will debut as part of the MIFF 2013 Premiere Fund slate.
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HailWinner of The Age Critics Award for the best Australian feature at this year’s MIFF, Hail is both an epic love story and autobiography, the culmination of six years of collaboration between Melbourne director Amiel Courtin-Wilson and Danny Jones, a 50-year-old former prisoner with a poet’s vision of his world.
Thanks to Madman and Nova Cinemas, we have 5 double passes to giveaway to a Hail preview screening at the Nova, 7pm Wed Oct 18, including a Q&A with director Amiel Courtin-Wilson. One lucky winner will also receive a Madman prize including 'best of' Australian DVD pack, limited edition Hail soundtrack, plus a signed poster.
To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with HAIL in the subject, and the answer to this question: Name one other documentary directed by Amiel Courtin-Wilson.
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Monster FestMonster Fest is a dedicated horror film festival beginning on Halloween night (Oct 31) and running for 10 nights until Nov 9, at Cinema Nova. The first event of its kind in Melbourne, Monster Fest is the premiere film event for genre lovers.
Thanks to Monster Fest, we have a ghoulish giveaway! Two Premium Tickets, guaranteeing access to Special Event Screenings, Opening and Closing Nights & after parties, plus a cavalcade of prizes incl. Monster fest t-shirts, DVDs, a private ‘Meet the Guests’ function’, private screenings and more.
To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with MONSTER in the subject, along with your NAME, PHONE & ADDRESS, and the answer to this question: Who directed the original 1978 film, Halloween?
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19th Greek Film FestivalThe Greek Film Festival returns from Oct 17-Nov 4 at Palace Como Cinemas, with an outstanding program of some of Greece’s most exciting new films. If you missed the ‘weird wave’ favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Alps at MIFF, you can catch it at the Greek Film Festival, along with Yorgos Gkikapeppas’ powerful drama City of Children and Stelios Kammitsis’ indie anthem Jerks.
Thanks to the Greek Film Festival, we have 2 double passes to giveaway to any film of your choice! To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with GREEK in the subject, and the answer to this question: What is the name of the Greek TV series written by Jerks director Stelios Kammitsis?
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The SessionsFrom Australian filmmaker Ben Lewin comes The Sessions starring Academy Award® Nominees John Hawkes and William H. Macy, and Academy Award® Winner Helen Hunt. Based on the true story of California-based journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, portrayed by the exceptionally gifted Hawkes in a career-defining performance, O’Brien’s story is the immensely poignant and surprisingly funny tale of a man, paralysed by polio who – at age 38 – is determined to finally lose his virginity. The Sessions opens in cinemas November 8.
Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have 25 doubles to giveaway to a preview screening on Monday, Nov 5, 7pm at the Rivoli Cinemas. To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with SESSIONS in the subject, and the answer to this question: For which film did Helen Hunt win her Academy Award®?
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Safety Not Guaranteed When an unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he's solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon.
Starring Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass. In Cinemas October 18.
Thanks to Rialto Distribution, we have 10 in-season double passes to giveaway to Safety Not Guaranteed. To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with SAFETY in the subject, and the answer to this question: Name one other film in which Aubrey Plaza has also starred.
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NOT A MIFF MEMBER?
Click HERE for further information, and join (or renew) to get the red carpet treatment!
To find out more, click HERE.
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