The Travelling Film Festival brings a celebration of cinema to Newcastle with a brand-new program direct from the 2023 Sydney Film Festival 70th edition. Featuring an exciting mix of the best local and international films, fresh from sold-out sessions in Sydney and now embarking on a tour of the Eastern states.
Opening the festival is Newcastle-based director Claire Pasvolsky’s THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH, a moving and musical story of Angie (Jackie Marshall) whose chequered career is uplifted through her friendship with teenage Ruby. Marshall’s own songs, and resonant voice, alongside the Newcastle setting, bring a tender authenticity to this rebellious music-driven drama. The gala event includes a live performance from lead actor and singer/songwriter Marshall, a filmmaker Q&A with the director and a welcome drink on arrival.
Other highlights of the program are RACHEL’S FARM, the brand-new documentary from actor-turned director-turned farmer Rachel Ward (Palm Beach, SFF 2019), tracing the environmental awakening she undergoes, aided and abetted by local NSW north coast farmers, screening on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday night offers the sumptuous period drama CHEVALIER, a provocative romantic drama starring Kelvin Harrison Jr (Elvis).and Australian screen star Samara Weaving. Sunday’s offerings include the multi-award-winning Oscar-nominated Donkey starring film EO, screening with Dendy Award-winner Tangki (Donkey), offering a double donkey deal.
Also screening is the nail-biting eco-thriller HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE, with a slick young cast including Lukas Gage (White Lotus) and Sasha Lane (American Honey) as eco-terrorists undertaking a Taratino-esque mission that is as tense as it is a searing conversation starter for our times.
Other stories from around the world include SUBTRACTION, a superbly performed drama from Iran and France, where a married couple unexpectedly meet their doppelgangers in a riveting psychological mystery directed by leading filmmaker Mani Haghighi (Pig, SFF 2018). The program showcases the very funny debut feature I LIKE MOVIES, a hit at the Toronto film Festival, from Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack and sure to appeal to anyone who remembers video shops; as well as veteran German filmmaker Christian Petzold’s (a TFF favourite) latest film, AFIRE, which premiered to acclaim at the recent Berlinale. Festival favourite RICEBOY SLEEPS is Anthony Shim’s semi-autobiographical drama that has won more than 20 international awards – a moving Canadian/Korean story.
TFF is also pleased to present three Australian short films from the Sydney Film Festivals, including CHUM, a smart comedy supported by Create NSW’s Screenability initiative, which showcases films from filmmakers with a disability. Also showing is TANGKI (DONKEY) which explores the stories of three Anangu women of different generations; and RATBAG from Maitland-born award-winning director, Andrew Kavanagh, sure to generate laughter for anyone who remembers their school days.
“We’ve seen a marked rise in people returning to the cinemas and can’t wait to get back on the road and bring a brand new program full of fascinating cinema to the people of Newcastle and surrounds. This festival offers something for everyone, kicking off with a special screening of a local film that is sure to be a crowd pleaser in its home town of Newcastle.” said TFF Manager Annie Parnell.
Tickets to TFF Newcastle are now on sale. With a Full Subscription, patrons can watch the whole program and save up to 30% or buy a 5 ticket Flexipass and choose 5 films from across the program. Single tickets also available for all sessions, including Opening Night. For more information and bookings, please visit https://www.sff.org.au/tff/program/newcastle
Travelling Film Festival acknowledges the financial assistance of Screen Australia & the NSW Government through Screen NSW.