For eighteen days, the Melbourne International Film Festival screens over 350 films to an enthusiastic and dedicated audience. While its perspective is clearly global, the Festival is a showcase and forum for the Australian film industry, presenting a robust and diverse annual program of new Australian cinema, including premieres of local work from internationally renowned filmmakers Paul Cox, Clara Law and Eddie Fong, in addition to championing emerging talents, such as Cate Shortland.
When it comes to our perceptions of the Middle East, the answer to the rhetorical 'Need to Know?' slogan of this year's festival is unequivocally 'yes'! MIFF will trace not only the 'fault lines' in the Middle East, but attempt to get to know this region and its myriad cultures better through cinema. MIFF again turns its roaming eye to the films of our Asia Pacific region. From Australia's first exhibition of maverick Australian expatriate (Hong Kong-based) Christopher Doyle's shimmering images to a focus on the youthful dynamism of new Thai film and, it's been yet another remarkable year in Asian cinema.
ACMI is delighted to co-present a number of exciting sessions in the 53rd Melbourne International Film Festival, including Focus on Cate Shortland. The comprehensive Festival Guide will be available free in The Age on Friday 9 July.
For more information visit www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
