Returning to the Inner West this April the 11 day Inner West Film Fest is packed with over 50 films across 70 sessions showcasing stories from diverse backgrounds.
In its second year, the festival has doubled its programme offering and will also host a Pitching Competition, a film trivia night, film markets and a photography exhibition.
The festival is embracing comedy this year, kicking off with a free Opening Night screening of the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite. The film will air under the stars at Hole 1 of the Marrickville Golf Club.
“This year, we have consciously leaned into the comedy genre with our programming,” says Inner West Film Fest co-director and co-founder Dov Kornits. “Comedy can be so many things, from satire, charcoal black, slapstick, subversive, to light and fluffy. Times are tough in the world right now, and watching a comedy with an audience in a full cinema is such a unique and infectious experience. Inner West Film Fest can give audiences that moment of respite and joy.”
There’s a strong assortment of Australian releases including the Australian premiere of Paul Fenech (creator of Fat Pizza, Housos and Bogan Hunters) Outback Outlaw Comedian. Documentary Fight To Live follows Aussie Bare Knuckle Fighting champion “Rowdy” Bec Rawlings and her journey from a troubled childhood, to protective mother and finally relentless ring competitor. Set in Sydney’s Parramatta, Sahela explores cultural shame in a coming-out drama a young Indian/Australian couple face.
Expect big laughs for Drugstore June the brainchild of comedian, co-writer, producer and starring Esther Povitsky. The satirical comedy about a wannabe influencer determined to solve a crime while trying to get over her ex-boyfriend.
The festival is a great opportunity to see those films that were made for the big screen such as Deserts is an epic road movie that winds its way from Casablanca to the South of Morocco Sahara. indie coming of age tale The Sweet East is a picaresque journey through contemporary American starring Talia Ryder, rising star Earl (son of Nick) Cave and Jacob Elordi (Saltburn, Priscilla).
“When selecting films for the festival, our goal was to challenge the audience to think differently by focusing on diverse perspectives. We have curated a program that represents a range of voices, cultures, and ideas. Films that push against conventional thinking, are inclusive and a bit irreverent at the same time,” says Inner West Film Fest co-director and co-founder Gregory Dolgopolov.
Canadian drama Testament pokes fun at a world dominated by political correctness with a little romance thrown in. While dark comedy Lessons of Tolerance takes viewers on a transformative journey that challenges deep-seated stereotypes and beliefs.
There will be life changing documentaries including New Berlin which attempts to solve the mystery of 500 virgins who went missing aboard the ship “Gloria”, that departed from Colombia in 1956. And films such as I Like Movies with a socially awkward lonely boy that will tug at cinephile hearts with its film references and teenage drama.
The Festival will also celebrate the 45th Anniversary of writer/director William Richert’s satirical black comedy thriller, Winter Kills (1979). The film is inspired by assassination conspiracy theories surrounding President John F. Kennedy and features an all-star cast including Jeff Bridges, John Huston, Elizabeth Taylor, Anthony Perkins and many more.
From Marrickville to Newtown, Enmore to Leichhardt, Inner West Film Fest will roll out across Dendy Cinemas, Palace Cinemas, Actors Centre Australia, Marrickville Golf Club and many more locations throughout Sydney’s glorious Inner West.
Key Events:
l Pitching Competition: 10 filmmakers will pitch their projects to industry pros including Award-winning actor-producer-director-writer Jeremy Sims
l Inner West Film Market: browse day bills, posters, movie books, merch and Blu-rays.
l Photography Exhibition: award-winning photographer Stephen Dupont, in connection with his documentary Kaugere: A Place Where Nobody Enters, a modern-day parable of once tribal men finding their feet through the game of rugby league.
Inner West Film Fest will run from 11 to 21 April. Single tickets $24, Senior/Concession tickets $19. For those keen to see a few films, consider a festival pass for 5 films $100, or 10 films for $190.
For more information visit 》 innerwestfilmfest.com.au/
