Widescreen May 2008

With Richard Moore and Michelle Carey flying the MIFF flag in Cannes and burdened with the responsibility of selecting the final slate of films for our program, the rest of the MIFF office is (green with envy!) motoring along with all the arrangements for MIFF 2008. With only 72 days until Opening Night, the Festival is shaping up to be a boomer of an event. Here is a sneak peek of what to expect at this year's FESTIVAL.

MIFF Blog

Keep up to date with Richard and Michelle's adeventures in Cannes by reading the MIFF Blog. Visit melbournefilmfestival.com.au and get the early scoop on what titles may be coming direct from Cannes to Melbourne in July!

Mini-Mag & Membership Re-launch

The Festival's program teaser, the Mini-Mag will be sent out at the end of May, providing a taste of what is to come at the 2008 Festival. The Mini-Mag will also contain vital information on the pre-sale of Festival passes so be sure to read this carefully and book early.

Along with the Mini-Mag, information about our MIFF Membership re-launch will also be outlined. MIFF is introducing a number of new initiatives for our members including generous ticket discounts and easier access to the Festival's screening venues, to name but a few. The previous "Early Bird" festival pass offer has been replaced by our new members program, making being a member even more valuable. So it actually pays to be a member! Stay tuned for further information.

Next Gen

Check out our Next Gen webpage where you can download a brochure with the full Next Gen program for 2008, as well as a Teacher's study guide and registration form.

Orbit - Music Videos Wanted!

ORBIT takes a spin around all that's fresh and exciting in Australian and New Zealand music video making with a program of independent and underground clips seen on the big screen for the first time.

If you have a recent music video either made by an Australian or NZ filmmaker or featuring an Australian or NZ band please contact Backbeat & Orbit programmer Juliana Chin at juliana@melbournefilmfestival.com.au
Join the revolution, Orbit-style.

Set Designer Wanted!

Fancy yourself as a set designer? Got a vision for the Festival Lounge that you've just been dying to share?
If you have an interest, experience and a skill in procuring furniture and creating ambiance, then contact Therese, the Festival Lounge Events Producer via therese@melbournefilmfestival.com.au
Asap...

MIFF On Demand

Melbourne's iconic event is now available online. The Melbourne International Film Festival is proud to present a selection of Festival films, curated especially for BigPond Movies.
READ MORE
For further information, visit http://downloads.bigpondmovies.com and search on "Melbourne International Film Festival".

Calling All Volunteers

If you love film, enjoy helping people and like the buzz of being involved in a high profile event, then MIFF would love to hear from you!

MIFF is calling for volunteers for the 2008 Festival and we need a dedicated troupe of people to assist us in running Australia's pre-eminent film festival.
FURTHER INFORMATION

Kick Goals @ MIFF

The closing date for MIFF Footy Shorts is fast approaching - 5pm on Friday 30 May, 2008.
FURTHER INFORMATION

Outside-In Cinema

Our friends at the State Library have a new screening program that showcases Australian music and dance films and documentaries from their collection, including some films from MIFF's 2007 program, so if you missed them at MIFF, catch them at the State Library!

Upcoming screenings are:
14 May: Midnight Oil: Best of Both Worlds
28 May: A Weekend in the Country
11 June: Sticky Carpet
25 June: Dirty Three

All screenings take place in Experimedia at the State Library of Victoria and start at 6:30pm. This is a free event but bookings are required. Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au. BYO picnic dinner and rug (optional), and kick back in a comfy deckchair. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Further information: cinema_flyer.pdf (pdf file, 982kb)

MIFF Members Screening Reminder

Mongol

Date: Sunday 18 May
Time: 10.30am
Where: Kino Dendy Cinemas, Collins Place, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne

This dazzling historical epic explores one of the most fascinating leaders in world history - Genghis Khan. Diving deep beneath the stereotypical brutality long associated with the legend of the man, this multi-dimensional portrait shot in stunning Mongolia reveals an inspiring, fearless and visionary leader, who against all odds created an empire that once dominated half the world. Boasting breathtaking landscapes and beautifully mounted action "Mongol" is a visual masterpiece that was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Oscars.

Running time: 124 minutes, Distributor: Hopscotch, Rating: Yet to be classified in Australia
Release Date: 19 June, 2008

MIFF Members MUST RSVP for this screening by Thursday 15 May.
Email: griffen@melbournefilmfestival.com.au (Please include in subject line: Mongol) OR phone 8660 4812.

Free* Parking in the Collins Place Car Park, Flinders lane. (*free for the first two hours, then $2.00 p/h for up to four hours thereafter) Please present your Car Parking ticket at Cinema box office for validation.

Widescreen Giveaways

Love in the Time of Cholera

Preview Screening - 130 Double Passes up for grabs

Date: Monday 19 May, 2008
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Classic Cinemas, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick

Starring Javier Bardem and based on the best-selling novel by Gabriel García Márquez, LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA is a smouldering love story that will tear at the heart of all romantics.

When teenagers Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza meet, they're immediately smitten by one another . However Fermina's father disapproves of the penniless youth and encourages his daughter to instead marry a wealthy, well-born doctor. Florentino is devastated and devotes himself to becoming a successful businessman and a prolific womaniser. However, nothing can extinguish his love for Fermina - a passion that endures for over five decades.

Running time: 139 minutes, Distributor: Rialto Pictures, Rating: M, Release Date: 22 May, 2008

For your chance to win one of 130 double passes to the screening on Monday 19th April 6.30pm, courtesy of Rialto Pictures and the Classic, email your name to griffen@melbournefilmfestival.com.au by Thursday 15 May, 3pm. Please include "Cholera" in the subject line. The first 130 replies will be placed on a door list and only winners will be notified by return email.

The Counterfeiters - 100 Two for One passes up for grabs

The true story of Salomon Sorowitsch, counterfeiter extraordinaire and bohemian. After getting arrested in a German concentration camp in 1944, he agrees to help the Nazis in an organised counterfeit operation set up to help finance the war effort.

It was the biggest counterfeit money scam of all time. Over 130 million pound sterling were printed, under conditions that couldn't have been more tragic or spectacular. During the last years of the war, as the German Reich saw that the end was near, the authorities decided to produce their own banknotes in the currencies of their major war enemies.

Running time: 98 minutes, Distributor: Madman Cinema, Rating: MA 15+, Release Date: 8 May, 2008

For your chance to win one of 100 Two for One passes to The Counterfeiters, courtesy of Madman Cinema, email your name and mailing address to griffen@melbournefilmfestival.com.au by Thursday 15 May, 12 noon. Please include "Counterfeiters" in the subject line. The first 100 replies will be sent a pass.

MIFF Member Giveaways

Click through the links for further information on the great giveaways we have for MIFF Members this month for the following films:

Flight of the Red Balloon - 100 Two for One passes up for grabs

Courtesy of Madman Cinema.

Spirit of India DVD Box Set - Two up for grabs

(Including Salaam Bombay & Monsoon Wedding)

Courtesy of Hopscotch.

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