Community
25 October, 2023
‘Bool chosen for first regional screening
FILMS by some of Australia’s best female filmmakers will screen in Warrnambool next month as part of a special Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) event.
Warrnambool has secured the first ever regional MWFF screening, which will be held on November 10 feature a selection of short films from across the festival’s seven- year history.
The event is a partnership between the MWFF, Warrnambool City Council, Lighthouse Theatre and Deakin University.
Festival director Dr Sian Mitchell said she was looking forward to the opportunity to be able to share the stories of talented filmmakers with a regional audience.
“We’ve always wanted to try and get out into the regions,” she said.
“A lot of film festivals tend to be very urban-centric.
“The short films that we have selected really represent the diversity of women and gender-diverse storytelling.”
Dr Mitchell, who is a MWFF founder, said the festival was first held in 2017 and has grown from there.
“We noticed a gap and a lack of Australian female filmmakers’ work in cinemas and we wanted to fill that gap,” she said.
“I like to think we’re a festival that can talent spot in terms of what we get to see in the short films space and include that in our program and we can see these incredible people go on to bigger projects and do these really fabulous feature films that get international attention.
“There are a lot of inroads being made and there is a real momentum around womens’ work.
“We’ve had such great examples of people like Natalie Erica James who did Relic. That premiered at Sundance.
“And this year was Noora Niasari’s Shayda which opened the Melbourne International Film Festival. It premiered at Sundance as well and it’s Australia’s entry into the Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.”
Warrnambool mayor Cr Debbie Arnott said Warrnambool was a proud partner in the event.
“Partnerships like this where we can bring high-quality experiences to Warrnambool, while also playing a role in elevating and celebrating women in film - it’s just a fabulous initiative to be a part of,” she said.
“Some of Australia’s earliest filmmakers were female. The McDonagh sister were pioneers in the industry in the 1920s and 1930s, and here we are almost 100 years later and women are still under-represented in behind-the-camera roles like directing.
“But it’s encouraging to see that progress is being made. The talent is there without a doubt, it’s just about helping the works of these creative and skilful female and gender-diverse filmmakers reach a larger audience to help inspire the next generation.”
Cr Arnott said the festival team had hand-picked a selection of some of their best short films.
“It’s going to be an entertaining, thought-provoking evening with genres spanning comedy, drama, documentary and animation,” she said.
Lighthouse Theatre manager Xavier Dannock said he was excited to host the festival at the theatre.
“It’s important for everyone to be able to express themselves artistically and to be exposed to the works of a diverse group of creators,” he said.
“It’s really good to be able to collaborate with one of our existing partners, Deakin University, on this project too.
“Our recent technical upgrades in the theatre means we can really do the films justice and present them in the way that the filmmakers intended.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for concession, which includes a post-screening reception.
Tickets are available from the Lighthouse Theatre box office and online at www.lighthousetheatre.com.au
