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DFF 2012: IT'S A WRAP

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:05:00 GMT

Another Fantastic Dungog Film Festival is in the can, squizz or reminisce on the festival that was...

Dungog Film Festival/title>

2012 DUNGOG FILM FESTIVAL: UNPLUGGED!
DFF has wrapped for another year and it was an amazing festival folks. If you fancy some reminiscing or would like to glimpse some of the fun, check out our festival photo gallery on Facebook here.

WON'T YOU TAKE ME TO DUNGOG TOWN!
DFF 2012 hit the ground running with an absolute crowd pleaser. Peter Templeman's Not Suitable For Children was the perfect romantic comedy to get the season started, with the director receiving high praise and resounding cheers during his very funny and informative Q&A.

The BCA National Opening Night film was followed by the first of our events at DFF Party Central where the audience, actors and filmmakers partied the night away to fantastic performances by DJ Levi 5Star and La Fiesta Sound System.

Friday's festivities were rivaled only by our Saturday Night Karaoke party, creating our own kind of 'Dungog Idol'. Dozens of punters put their vocal stylings on the line and took to the stage to compete for the top prize.

	Congratulations to runners-up Andrew and Fiona and winner Lily Cocquerel, who took out the top honour for her show stopper "It's Raining Men" where she was joined on stage by a host of strapping shirtless lads! The phenomenal party was rounded out with Brian Canham, *Pseudo Echo* frontman, joining the cast of Charlie Bonnet to sing his hit song Funky Town in celebration of their world premiere.

	ANOTHER CINEMATIC SEED IS SOWN Our In The Raw live script reading Diving For Poland brought the stars to Dungog and pulled in the crowds, packing out the Cockatoo Theatre. The depths of this promising new feature script were delved and developed by a cast including Jacqueline McKenzie, Anna Hruby, Ivy Latimer, Ben O'Toole and Paul Gleeson, along with writer Andrea Rogers and director Hannah Hilliard. These staged readings provide a fantastic opportunity for writers to perfect their work, and the town of Dungog has once again proven to be a creative haven for the development of new film projects.

	DOING IT FOR THE KIDS Hundreds of kids from the Hunter flocked to Dungog to enjoy our dynamic Student Day program. A highlight of the program was the world premiere of UnCarOrdinated, created by students from Dungog High School - the most film savvy school on the planet! Click here to read the full story.

	GREAT FILMS, GREAT GUESTS The 2012 festival spotlit 15 features and 67 shorts welcoming over 40 filmmakers to mix and mingle in the streets of Dungog. With 5 world premieres and 20 Australian premieres the festival continues to launch the journey of a swag of new Aussie films. Thank you to all the filmmakers who made their way to Dungog to make the festival the fantastic industry hub and interactive audience experience it is. We do this festival for you and we couldn't do it without you!

	THE LOCALS OUT IN FORCE As they do every year, the local community did Dungog proud in 2012! A selection of films and forums curated by the community attracted fantastic industry guests and strong audience support. Local businesses put their festival pride on display in clever and quirky Aussie film themed shop-window displays. Congratulations to Snack Inn Cafe and Dungog Veterinary Hospital who won the prizes for best displays, and a special mention to Dungog Public Primary School for their Fern Gully classroom display. And of course, our beloved street parade had the Red Dog theme this year and worked a treat as hundreds of animals took to Dowling Street. Thanks for a great show everyone!

	GO TEAM COCKATOO We'd like to acknowledge the hard working team behind DFF this year. Thanks to our festival's meteoric success the crew from Cockatoo Institute has grown and will be staging another two festivals this year - the Inland NSW Film Festival in Dubbo in September, and the Cockatoo Island Film Festival in Sydney in October. Our thanks to Ivor, Ellie, Hayley, Paige, Clare and Lex for their dedication and passion for producing incredible events. Our thanks also goes to our support crew who we couldn't have done this festival without - Thomas, Julia, Hannah, Smi, Amelia, Jess, Anna, Michael and Sue, it was great to share a fantastic DFF with you!

	THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT As we wrap DFF 2012 we’d like to thank the organisations that have made it all possible. Thank you to our old friends Destination NSW and NSW Mining, whose long-term support has been the ballast that raises our golden curtain each year. Thank you to our great mates at Countrylink who year after year keep the Festival on track, and to BCA National for making our Opening Night Gala the best shindig in town. Thank you Mambo for 2012's awesome key artwork and our media partners NBN, 2HD and Dungog Radio for spinning us out into the airwaves. Who printing, Ferve and Video Australasia, who make our visions tangible realities, and finally Honeysuckle Hotel, First Creek Wines, and Ramjet, who have literally housed, watered and clothed us!

	LAST CHANCE FOR FESTIVAL SPECIALS Dungog patrons enjoyed a new dimension to their festival experience this year, with the addition of First Creek wines to the Candy Bar at the James Theatre. Award winning Semillon, Verdelho and Cabernet Sauvignon were appreciated both outside and inside the theatre, with the red proving the most popular in the chilly winter evenings. First Creek are offering Dungog Film Festival supporters the opportunity to purchase their wines at special prices. Until Saturday 7th July, exclusive DFF mixed wine packages are available from just $120 and all purchases – either mixed packs or individual orders - entering the promotional code DFF at checkout will receive a further 10% off and free delivery Australia-wide. Purchase online at www.firstcreekwines.com.au or contact First Creek on 02 4998 7293

	DFF TEES STILL ON SALE!! Commemorate the festival with our collectible T-shirts, made by Mabuzi and sponsored by our friends at BCA National and NSW Mining. They come in blue and pink and small, medium and large, they are a stylish fit and comfortable cotton too! You can still buy yours here today, as well as posters, festival guides, and assorted festival merchandise.

There's Always a Chance of a Ticket!!

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 06:34:00 GMT

Sessions that have been marked sold out on our website may still have last minute tickets available. Head to the venue 30 minutes before the session to purchase available tickets.

Party Time!

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:40:00 GMT

We heard your call and we responded... in song! The Saturday Night DFF party has a karaoke theme and there are prizes for star singers. Just think of it as DUNGOG IDOL.

Kicking off at 8:30pm at Party Central, Dungog's biggest party of the year has a soundtrack, and OF COURSE, it is songs from the movies. Whether you want to dust off your dancing shoes, flex your vocal acrobatics or sing along to the group numbers, you will love our selection of fine movie music memories.

$35 tickets include food and tunes and you can read more or book them here.

Limited tickets are also still available for our Opening Night Film and Party. Following the screening you can follow the procession down Brown St and on to Party Central (100 Lord St) where film industry, visiting cinephiles and Dungog locals will crack on to til the wee hours with DJ Levi 5Star and La Fiesta Sound System. You can still get those tickets here.

DFF Live and Online!

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:15:00 GMT

The program for the 2012 Dungog Film Festival is now online with more sessions, parties and sneak previews to be announced soon.

You can check it out here.

Dungog Film Festival on the small screen!

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

DFF is the focus of a Sydney Weekender segment on June 2nd.

Lea Wilson and the Weekender team spent some time at our event last year and have put together a fantastic snapshot of the festival and the town we call home - tune in and check it out!

The episode screens on Channel 7 and PRIME on Saturday June 2 at 5:30pm and on 7 TWO at 1pm.

SAPPHIRE CELEBRATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS TO WAYNE BLAIR

Wed, 02 May 2012 06:08:00 GMT

Australian film, The Sapphires, has been selected for a special gala screening at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival and it will be the only Australian feature screening this year. Based on the true story of an indigenous girl band singing Motown classics, the film stars Deborah Mailman (Rabbit Proof Fence, Offspring) and Jessica Mauboy (Bran Nue Dae) with newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell rounding out the quartet. Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) also stars as the agent who discovers them on a remote Aboriginal mission.

This film is the feature directorial debut for Wayne Blair. What a way to get started! Producers Rosemary Blight and Kyle Du Fresne, from Goalpost Pictures, have described Sapphires as “the kind of film that comes along once in a lifetime.”

Congratulations to The Sapphires team, we’re so proud to see Indigenous Aussies taking on Cannes! The Cockatoo Institute has recently opened submissions for a Young Indigenous Documentary Fellowship, to find out more click here.

Advance Ticket Packages on Sale May 4th

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

DFF fans - get in there first and secure your seats!
Advance ticket packages for the 2012 Dungog Film Festival are on sale Friday May 4th.

Early birds can pick up Opening Night Film + Party tickets, 5 or 10 film multi-passes, and the full festival VIP package before the program is announced June 12.

CLICK HERE for more ticket info and updates throughout May.

NSW Mining Young Indigenous Filmmaker’s Fellowship

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Cockatoo Institute (Organisers of the Dungog Film Festival) and NSW Mining are delighted to announce an exciting new fellowship to encourage a young indigenous filmmaker to make, complete or develop a documentary that provides a key insight into their perspective as an Indigenous Australian.
We are inviting Indigenous filmmakers to put forward a documentary idea and submit it to us by 31st July 2012. A panel of established Indigenous filmmakers will select the successful recipient and will be recognized at the official Award Ceremony held at the Cockatoo Island Film Festival in October 2012.

To qualify, the filmmaker must be of Indigenous decent, aged 35 years or under and have talent in the art of story telling and filmmaking. The prize will include $20, 000 in cash and access to all programs, seminars, masterclasses and films screening at the Cockatoo Island Film Festival from 24th -28th October 2012 . The finished film will also receive a red carpet premiere at the 2013 Cockatoo Island Film Festival.

For more information on how to apply for the NSW Mining Young Indigenous Filmmaker’s Fellowship, please see the Media Release and Entry Form or go to the Cockatoo Island Film Festival website

2012 Festival Entries Now Closed

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Submissions for the 2012 Dungog Film Festival have now closed.

Thank you for the overwhelming response to our call out, we have received a phenomenal range of film submissions this year. The festival team are now busily reviewing these films and will be in touch soon.

The official program will be announced May 30th.

Advance ticket packages will be on sale May 4th. Full program and individual sessions on sale May 31st.

Youth Week Mobile Filmmaking Workshops - Dungog & Wallsend

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Dungog Film Festival will be running a FREE mobile filmmaking workshop as part of Youth Week 2012 for 12-25 year olds.

The workshop will focus on how to make a short film using mobile devices such as phones, ipods & ipads and ties in with a section of this year's Festival that will screen youth mobile films from the Region.

*Lunch will be provided!*

The workshop will be run by Jasper Kyle an independent short film maker from Sydney who produces videos through his business CowlickFlicks. Jasper made his first Mobile phone film in 2010 and has shot and directed another 9 since then including a Music video, "Future Man" which won "Best Music Video" at Mobilescreenfest.

RSVP and for more info email community@dff.org.au or phone (02) 9810 1455

Dungog sets its dates for 2012!

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Dungog Film Festival will step into to a magical wintery wonderland as it moves it dates to run from Friday 29th June to Sunday 1st July.

Returning in 2012 will be the ever-popular Australian Classics, recent releases and premieres screened in the iconic James Theatre along with the sell-out sessions of genre based shorts and the family favourite street parade, window dressing competition and street stalls.

To keep up with the latest DFF 2012 news follow us on Facebook, Twitter or sign up to our newsletter.

Submissions for the 2012 Dungog Film Festival have now closed. Festival highlights revealed soon...

Dungog Film Festival 2012 launches its Call For Entries

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The Dungog Film Festival is now calling for entries to its 2012 program.

Dungog showcases only Australian content and presents a range of films and projects to suit our diverse audiences. The Festival is calling for entries across all festival categories: Feature Films, Shorts, Documentaries, Television Pilots, Digital Creations, Music Videos and Animation.

The early bird deadline (discounted entry fee) is March 5 and the final deadline for all entries is April 2, 2012.

To enter your film click here.

To download a PDF of the entry form and terms and conditions click here.

ENTRIES HAVE NOW CLOSED!

2012 Festival Community Project Expressions Of Interest

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The 2012 Festival will showcase the Dungog Shire and Hunter Region and work with the local community to integrate an eclectic range of community run activities that are incorporated under the Dungog Film Festival umbrella.

Community members and groups from around the Hunter Region are invited to submit ideas through a simple Expression Of Interest (EOI) process for satellite events and programming that aligns itself with the Festival brand.

Successful submissions will sit under the official Dungog Film Festival umbrella and be promoted through the official Festival channels.

The below document outlines the EOI process.

EOI's can be submitted online here or downloaded here.

IN THE RAW TESTS THE WATERS WITH ROCKPOOL

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:13:00 GMT

The final installment of In The Raw for 2011 saw a return to Sydney Theatre on December 5th for the reading of Rockpool – the collaborative effort of writers, Sonia Whiteman, Pip Karmel, and Josh Whiteman.

The engaging performance led the audience on an emotionally charged and, at times, comedic journey from London to the Australian outback and back again.

The script, directed by Sonia Whiteman, was brought to life on the night by a superb cast led by Leon Ford (The Pacific, Changi) in the main role of Slightly, and precocious talent, Benson Anthony (Legend of the Seeker, Underbelly: Razor) as Henry.

The cast also included Danielle Cormack (Underbelly: Razor, Rake), Russell Dykstra (Rake, Romulus My Father), James Mackay (The Straits, Rescue Special Ops), as well as industry evergreens, Heather Mitchell (Spirited, The Great Gatsby) and Anne Looby (The Peach Season, Simone De Beauvoir’s Babies).

The cast members, tasked with covering multiple characters, shifted seamlessly between their various roles and accents highlighted by outstanding comic turns from Dykstra as Serbian chauffeur, Josif, and Cormack in her cameo as bogan café owner, Leah.

Looby, taking the reins as narrator, never missed a beat, exuding authority and poise as she took to the word-heavy prospect of stage direction. Consummate ease was the order of the day seemingly, with assured performances across the board from the elegant Mitchell, Ford and In The Raw veteran, Mackay. The crowd was even treated to the unexpected vocal talent of young Benson Anthony in an enchanting rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’.

After the performance, the Q&A session opened the floor to feedback from industry panelists, Gillian Armstrong (Charlotte Gray), Cathy Randall (Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger), Daniel Nettheim (The Hunter), and Andrew Traucki (The Reef) as well as impressions and questions from the audience. This gave director Sonia Whiteman and producer Karen Radzyner the valuable opportunity to discuss and workshop their own questions about their project as it continues towards production.

Thanks to host, Clare Sawyer, along with the entire cast and panel for making the night such a success.

DFF’s In The Raw is open for submissions of unproduced feature and television pilot scripts.

You can download our Entry Form here.
Payment can be made at the online store.

STELLAR CAST ANNOUNCED FOR IN THE RAW – ROCKPOOL

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

This Monday 5th December the final In the Raw reading for 2011 will host some of Australia’s most celebrated actors, filmmakers and industry experts including Gillian Armstrong, Heather Mitchell and Danielle Cormack among others.

Written by Sonia Whiteman (Len's Love Story) and Karen Radzyner (Paper Giants) Rockpool is about a reckless rock star called Slightly, which will be read by Leon Ford (who recently directed Griff the Invisible starring Ryan Kwanten). He finds solace and gains wisdom from an unusual 12 year old, read by Benson Anthony (Legend of the Seeker Series 1 & 2 and Underbelly Razor.)

The great cast includes Danielle Cormack (Underbelly, Rake) who plays Kat, Slightly’s foil, joined by the talented Russell Dykstra (Rake, Wild Boys, Oranges and Sunshine and Romulus My Father) who will cover two pivotal roles as Al and Josif.

The dazzling Heather Mitchell (The Eye of the Storm and The Great Gatsby) will take a break from her heavy work schedule to also play the roles of Edith and June.

Rounding out our cast In the Raw has recent WAAPA graduate James Mackay (Panic at Rock Island, The Straits) in the roles of Sam and Stephen. James is soon to be seen in the new feature Venice by Miro Bilborough and Karen Radzyner.

The script will be narrated by AFI Award winner Anne Looby (Dance Academy, All Saints, A Country Practice) and an industry guest list will include icons such as directors Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Death Defying Acts), Daniel Nettheim (The Hunter), Andrew Traucki (Black Water) and Cathy Randall (Hey, Hey It’s Esther Blueberger).

The session will be hosted by the newly appointed Cockatoo Film Screen Development & Education Manager Clare Sawyer.

It’s going to be a rocking night touched by humour, love and tragedy. In The Raw will be held at the Richard Wherrett Theatre, Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay, doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are still available, but registration is essential as seating is strictly limited. Please click here to register.

In the Raw is a part of our Screen Skills Development Program, which is proudly sponsored by NSW Mining.