Media release from IDENTITY PR
After four days of exceptional Australian films including the screenings of 12 features, five classics, 12 documentaries, six live script reads and
132 shorts, the Dungog Film Festival has successfully concluded for its fourth year.
Festival director and co-founder, Allanah Zitserman was thrilled with the audience response with over 7000 people attending during the four days.
“I feel that the Dungog Film Festival is now squarely on the map. It is at the forefront of presenting Australian screen content to Australian audiences and is unquestionably the largest showcase of Australian films in the world.
The festival’s innovative programs including its Speed Auditioning, student program, In The Raw live script readings, Dungog Collection on iTunes and its freshly launched Mini oovie Makers competition provide an extension to the four day event that supports, assists and inspires the industry all year long,“ said Allanah Zitserman.
Highlights of the Festival included the sold out world premiere screenings of Lou, Road Train and Surviving Georgia, along with the Australian premiere of Passengers. Stars in attendance included Sophie Lowe, Brendan Cowell, Emily Barclay, Bob Morley, Georgina Haig, Cameron Daddo, Shane Jacobson, Caroline O’Connor, Jeremy Sims, Gyton Grantley, Luke Carroll and Steve Bisley.
The ADG Master Classes with Award-winning Directors Gillian Armstrong and Nadia Tass were favourites with Festival attendees who listened in as both discussed their career achievements and responded to audience questions.
Richard Carwin from Sydney’s Eastern suburbs was judged the winner of the inaugural Screenwise Speed Auditioning program and was awarded $5000 and acting representation for an 18- month period. His winning performance was selected by a panel of industry experts that included: Denise Roberts, Cameron Daddo, Brendan Cowell, Jeremy Sims, CEO of Paramount Pictures Mike Selwyn and Director Nadia Tass.
Dr Nikki Williams, CEO of Principal Presenting sponsor NSW Minerals Council, said that supporting the Dungog Film Festival for over three years has delivered huge benefits for the Shire and the broader region.
“Our sponsorship is a tangible investment in the economic future and social fabric of the Hunter Valley,” Dr Nikki Williams said.
“We have helped ensure a sustainable arts festival that provides incredible opportunities for local business and develops a more diverse and prosperous Hunter economy. We hope it continues to inspire our film industry to keep digging deeper to unearth our extraordinary and diverse Aussie stories and the remarkable people eager to tell them,” said Dr Williams.
The charming Dungog community opened their homes and businesses for the Festival and put on a street parade on Saturday that featured Olympic flag bearers on horse-back, the Dungog High School band, antique tractors, horse drawn vehicles, farmers with their cows and the Rural Fire Service.