Dungog Festival Artistic Director Is Excited For Their Short Film Submissions
"The town know what to expect and they are getting ready for the influx of visitors."
While the festival also includes music, food and art events, film will be a focus, with 12 feature films screening over the four-day event. "This year we have a fantastic focus on Jim Henson and The Muppet Show. There's a great documentary about him and his creation of the Muppets characters and the show itself, plus Muppet Musical Moments, a film that showcases all the great songs from the show, where guests such as Elton John, Debbie Harry and Paul Simon would visit and sing with the Muppet cast. Both great films for fans and the uninitiated."
"There's a great documentary about him and his creation of the Muppets characters and the show itself."
The festival's line-up of music films extends past its The Muppets pairing: "We have some fantastic music documentaries, including The Cambodian Space Project and A Family Affair, which celebrate cross-cultural collaborations and the music that is created from these collaborations."
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Festival organisers hope to keep horror fans pleased with a midnight screening of horror-comedy Deathgasm and a thriller-themed short films package on Thriller Night. The lighter side of the festival comes via a pair of comedies (two of the festival's four premieres), starting with Sucker, from Aussie comedian Lawrence Leung, and Now Add Honey, from the makers of TV series The Librarians and Upper Middle Bogan. Dungog Festival's international line-up is rounded out by films from Ireland, Peru and Germany and the US.
Returning in 2015 is the Dungog Festival Short Film Competition, showcasing shorts from local and international filmmakers in six categories ranging from horror to kids' films. "Last year's entries displayed exceptional talent and we are very excited to see what's out there this year," says Bolzon.
Successful entries will be screened during the festival's short film packages and will be judged by a panel of industry professionals, with two filmmakers taking home cash prizes to a tune of over $1000.
"The 2015 Festival program has been designed to reflect the vibrant community. The James Theatre which shows the films is one of the oldest cinemas still operating in Australia; it has a gorgeous Spanish-inspired facade, and is set amongst the rolling hills of the region."
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