MICHELLE CAREY, MIFF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dearest friends of MIFF,

The end of 2012 is within sight. We have had a brilliant year, and could not have done it without the devoted MIFF audience, our generous sponsors and supporters, including our divine Patron Geoffrey Rush (don’t forget to go see him in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM) and not forgetting all the hard working volunteers and devoted staff who create a brand new MIFF every year. We do it just for you!

Wishing all Widescreen subscribers a safe and merry festive season.

We can't wait for MIFF 2013 and the 63rd edition of Melbourne International Film Festival.

Our office isclosed from Friday 21 December and reopens on Monday 7 January.

Thanks for a fantastic year, we hope you enjoy a break, and we'll see you in January.

In this edition of Widescreen:

• 2013 eMini Passes onsale and Gift MIFF Memberships
• Social media update – MIFF now on Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr
• 2013 Submissions – regular submissions now open
• MIFF Premiere Fund Doco Winners News
• Giveaways:

The Shadow Electric double pass

So Frenchy, So Chic Festival

MTC – The Other Place

Quartet double passes

Samsara double passes

Love is all You Need double passes

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? 2013 eMINI PASSES & MIFF GIFT MEMBERSHIPS

Christmas shopping (or hint dropping) is easy with MIFF. 

2013 eMini Passes are onsale now. A simple but highly effective gift - what could be nicer than a MIFF eMini Pass to the international world of cinema?

Don't forget next year's MIFF dates are 25 July-11 August 2013.

The ideal companion, to get the best value from an eMini Pass, is a MIFF Membership - a cinema lover's bounty! You can buy a Membership for yourself, or a Gift Membership for a lucky someone.

We'll roll out the red carpet for you, all year round, with:

- Priority entry and generous ticket discounts to the festival;

- 12 months of concession tickets at our cinema partners;

- Exclusive invitations to preview screenings throughout the year; and much more.

Buy MIFF Memberships or Gift Memberships here

MIFF – SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE

We like (LIKE! geddit!) social media just as much as you do, so we've joined Pinterest, Google+, Instagram (find us @melbfilmfest) and Tumblr.

Of course, you can already connect with us at our regular haunts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

We're loving Pinterest especially at the moment - you can check out 62 years of MIFF program guides artwork, some of our favourite MIFF directors, Melbourne film favourites and more.

Join us!

2013 FILM SUBMISSIONS OPEN

Regular submissions for MIFF 2013 are open now, closing on 21 February 2013. We accept all types of feature length films as well as short fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films.

Eligible short films are screened in competition in the Shorts Awards, which are Academy®, AACTA and BAFTA accredited and come with cash prizes.

Make sure we have a chance to conside your masterpiece! Read all the details on submitting your film to MIFF for 2013 here.

MIFF PREMIERE FUND DOCO WINNERS

Congratulations to the two MIFF 2011 Premiere Fund-supported feature documentaries that won prizes at the recent ATOM Film Awards.

AUTOLUMINESCENT: ROWLAND S. HOWARD won the prize for Best Documentary - Biography.

THE CURSE OF THE GOTHIC SYMPHONY scored the trophy for Best Documentary - Arts./p>

THE SHADOW ELECTRIC

Based at the beautiful Abbotsford Convent, The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema is back from Tuesday 3 January with best of Australian and international cinema in a season of 62 cracking films, including MIFF favourites Searching for Sugarman and Hail and a range of classic retrospective and cult films - some of which have not been screened in cinemas since their initial release. Tickets on sale now.

Thanks to The Shadow Electric, we have one double-pass to giveaway to Peter Bogdanovich’s The Last Picture Show, screening Thurs 24th Jan, 2013. Email a href="mailto:widescreen@miff.comm.au">widescreen@miff.com.au with PICTURE in the subject and the answer to this question: What year was The Last PIcture Show released?

SO FRENCHY, SO CHIC

The perfect garden party with a soundtrack to match, So Frenchy So Chic In The Park returns on Sunday 20 January 2013 with musical acts Mélanie Pain, Revolver, Carmen Maria Vega and Nadéah. Pick up a gourmet hamper, stretch out under the shade of the trees or dance barefoot across the acres of rolling lawn. Les enfants under 12 are welcome for free.

Thanks to SFSC, lucky MIFF Widescreen subscribers can access a Free SFSC download sampler, receive 10% off  (when purchasing from this link, please enter Ticket Discount Code: SOCHIC at checkout).

We also have a double pass to giveaway! Email widescreen@miff.com.au with SFSC in the subject and the answer to this question: Paris-based Nadéah is originally from which country?

MTC - THE OTHER PLACE

Described as New York’s most moving play of the year, Sharr White’s The Other Place drops you into a gripping psychological labyrinth that keeps you gasping at every turn. An Australian premiere, multi-award-winning film director Nadia Tass directs a cast led by Catherine McClements, with music by Paul Grabowsky.

To celebrate the opening of their 2013 season, Melbourne Theatre Company has five double passes to giveaway to The Other Place, 8pm Monday 28 January 2013. To win, email widescreen@miff.com.au with OTHER in the subject, and the answer to this question: Which film was directed by Nadia Tass and featured compositions by Paul Grabowsky?

QUARTET

Dirty little secrets stir up the reunion of a world-famous quartet when they get together for a one-off concert. An eccentric diva, her ex-husband, a lustful baritone, and the scatter-brained object of his desire make up a cast of vivid characters. Featuring Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon, Pauline Collins and directed by Dustin Hoffman, QUARTET is in cinemas from December 26.

Thanks to Paramount, we have five double passes to give away. Email widescreen@miff.com.au with QUARTET in the subject and the answer to this question: How many films has Dustin Hoffman directed?

SAMSARA

From the team behind BARAKA comes SAMSARA. An unparalleled sensory experience, exploring themes of birth, life, death and rebirth through stunning visuals and music, the film was shot for over four years and across 25 countries, transporting us through multiple cultures to sacred grounds, disaster sites, industrialized zones and natural wonders.

With breathtaking images pristinely photographed in 70mm and a dynamic music score, Samsara shows how our life cycle mirrors the rhythm of the planet. Arriving in cinemas December 26.

Thanks to Hopscotch, we have five in-season doubles to giveaway. Email widescreen@miff.com.au with SAMSARA in the subject and the answer to this question: Samsara soundtrack composer Lisa Gerrard was formerly the singer of which band originating in Melbourne?

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

Starring Pierce Brosnan  and Trine Dyrholm LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED is a sparkling romantic comedy from Academy Award® winner Susanne Bier (IN A BETTER WORLD, AFTER THE WEDDING), about two very different families brought together for a wedding in a beautiful old Italian villa. Opens nationally 13 December.

Thanks to Hoyts Distribution, we have twenty in season double passes to give away! Email widescreen@miff.com.au with LOVE in the subject and the answer to this question: In how many films did Pierce Brosnan star as James Bond?