Newcastle cinephiles are in for a treat this month with two high-profile film festivals coming to the city.
The first, Flickerfest, Australia’s largest short film festival, will be returning to the Civic Playhouse on Saturday 10 June.
Celebrating 32 years, Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy qualifying and BAFTA recognised short film festival, screening the best of shorts from Australia and around the world, hand-picked from over 3,200 entries.
Audiences can enjoy robust Best of Australian Shorts and Short Laughs Comedy programs, boasting an array of world and NSW premieres.
One highlight is sure to be Married at First Fleet, which follows a modern day 18th Century couple and individuals matched together according to their common interests, attractiveness and lack of diseases.
Fans of stop-motion animation won’t want to miss the Aussie Academy Award nominated An Ostrich Told Me The World Was Fake and I Think I Believe It.
This whimsical short tells the tale of a young telemarketer who is confronted by a mysterious talking ostrich who reveals the universe is stop motion animation and now the protagonist must convince his colleagues of this terrifying discovery.
The Travelling Film Festival, meanwhile, will be running from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June at Event Cinemas Kotara.
This festival offers a curated program of some of the best films from the Sydney Film Festival, to Newcastle, this year including the locally-produced film Three Chords and the Truth (pictured).
From Newcastle-based filmmaker Claire Pasvolsky, Three Chords and the Truth is an emotional Aussie indie, inspired by the real-life story of singer-songwriter Jackie Marshall, including a dynamo acting performance from the musician herself.
As a special treat, stars Maisie Owens and Jackie Marshall will perform on opening night along with a filmmaker Q and A.
Other highlights of the festival include Rachel's Farm by acclaimed actor turned director Rachel Ward, and the festival favourite Riceboy Sleeps - the tale of a strong-willed Korean single mother and her young son who start a new life in 1990s Canada.
Flickerfest is on at the Civic Playhouse on Saturday 10 June. Head here for more information. The Travelling Film Festival is on from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June. Head here for more information.