Widescreen February 2008

Welcome to the February edition of Widescreen! Once again this edition is jam packed with news and some great giveaways. Happy reading!

Kick Goals @ MIFF

MIFF is joining forces with one of Melbourne’s oldest institutions – footy – in order to celebrate 150 years of Australian football.

To merge the world of auteurs, tracking shots and mise-en-scene with short shorts, high marks and tackles, MIFF is calling for footy fans and budding filmmakers to enter a short film (5 minutes or less) that adheres to the theme of “what Australian football means to me or my community.”

Deadline for entries (documentary, animation, fiction, music videos or experimental) is May 1st and the top ten films will be screened at a special event during the festival on August 7th at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

After the screening, a special awards ceremony will be held to award First Prize ($5000), Second Prize ($3000) and Third Prize ($2000). The judging panel will comprise of MIFF and AFL personalities.

Further information:
Media Release: MIFF_Media_Release.pdf (pdf file, 65kb)
Call for Entry Regulations: MIFF_Footy_Shorts_Regulations.pdf (pdf file, 121kb)
Entry Form: MIFF_Footy_Shorts_Entry_Form.pdf (pdf file, 107kb)

MIFF Travelling Film Festival Update

Geelong: 14 - 16 February, 2008

Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Ford Theatre, 50 Little Malop Street
Geelong

Geelong is the next destination for MIFF’s Travelling Film Festival and will feature the following program:

Thu 14/2/08

7pm - Once (M) (Ireland 2007) 85mins + Remember My Name (Australia 2007) 12 mins
9.15pm - 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days (18+) (Romania 2007) 113mins

Fri 15/2/08

7pm - Vitus (PG 12+) (Switzerland 2006) 120 mins
9.15pm - The Jammed (M) (Australia 2007) 89 mins
Special screening introduction and Q&A with Dee McLachlan (director The Jammed) and Guy Davis (Geelong Advertiser)

Sat 16/2/08

2pm - Eagle VS Shark (M) (New Zealand 2007) 86mins
4pm - After the Wedding (M) (Denmark 2007) 122 mins
7pm - Coeurs (M) (France 2006) 125 mins
9.15pm - The Home Song Stories (M) (Australia 2007) 99mins

Eagle VS Shark

For further information please download the MIFF_Geelong_Leaflet.pdf (pdf file, 360kb)

For bookings contact: Ph 03 5225 1200 or www.gpac.org.au

Coming soon...

MOUNT GAMBIER 7-9 March
WARRNAMBOOL 14-16 March
SHEPPARTON 28-30 March
WANGARATTA 4-6 April
CASTLEMAINE 11-13 April

For dates, venues and full programme details

MIFF FILMS RELEASED

The following films screened at MIFF in 2007 were made available on DVD, to buy or rent at selected retailers, by Force Entertainment on the following dates:

After the Wedding: 5th December, 2007
Hood Of Horror: 14th November, 2007
Red Road: 13th February, 2008

WIDESCREEN GIVEAWAYS

Before the Devil Knows Your Dead – 50 Double Passes up for grabs

From the opening shot, master filmmaker Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Serpico) proves he hasn't lost any of his bite with age in "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead", a riveting suspense thriller about a family facing the worst enemy of all - itself.

Two brothers conspire to pull off the perfect victimless crime by robbing a suburban "mom-and-pop" jewellery store that appears to be the quintessential easy target. Trouble is, the storeowners are the brothers' actual mom and pop, so when things go awry, the damage lands right at their doorstep. Starring Oscar Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney, this classic heist-gone-wrong drama is an intense and expertly woven tale that proves we often have the most to fear from those whom we hold near and dear.

Running time: 117 minutes, Distributor: Hopscotch, Rating: TBA
Release Date: 20 March 2008

For your chance to win one of 50 double passes valid March 14 - 16, courtesy of Hopscotch, email your name and mailing address to griffen@melbournefilmfestival.com.au by 5pm Thursday 14 February. Please include “Devil“ in the subject line. Only winners will be notified by return email.

MIFF MEMBER NEWS

Members Screening – The Black Balloon

Date: Sunday March 2nd
Time: 11am
Where: Rivoli Cinema, 200 Camberwell Road, Camberwell

It's not easy being Thomas Mollison. He's turning 16, and his autistic brother Charlie embarrasses him. So do his wacky parents. When his pregnant Mother (Collette) is confined to bed rest, he is put in charge of Charlie (Ford) and with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward), Thomas faces his biggest challenge yet.

The Black Balloon is funny and ultimately heart-warming story about fitting in, discovering love and accepting your family.

Running time: 93 minutes, Distributor: Icon Film Distribution, Rating: M
Release Date: 6 March, 2008

MIFF Membership Renewals

Please note that most MIFF memberships will be coming up for renewal in March and April so look out for a renewal form in the post. We envisage that our online renewal facility will be up and running on the MIFF website within the next week so please keep checking the website www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/miffmembership if you prefer to renew online.