Sydneysiders get ready...

Many people think film festivals are only for those who wear quirky glasses and wear smoking coats and congregate to discuss the films in detail afterwards.... um no.  (well ok, maybe a few!) But friends there is no Q&A at the end of the film to see how much you 'loved''got''understood' or 'theorised the plot' 'criticised the editing' or the like.  It's not just for film buffs.  Film festivals are for those who like film and want to be entertained.   It's like going to the library of films.  Except you've not read any of the books, and many of the films may make you think about things.

I first went to the Sydney Film Festival as a child of about 9 - my aunt took me along to the kid's festival and I saw Fatty Fin.  The Festival then was exclusively shown at the State Theatre in Market Street and that in itself was an experience as it's architecture and furnishings are beautiful and I remember feeling like I had entered a fairytale castle.  For years to come I would return and see films that premiered at the festival go on to be part of my cultural footprint. For example, when I was in my teens, I saw Ferris Buellers' Day off - and  in my 20's I saw Muriels' Wedding at the Festival - it spoke to me on many levels (and I'm not just talking about ABBA).

The great news for all of us with kids is that the festival these days is even more accessible for those of us, there will be a kid's program again, and also for those of us with little ones, Mums and Bubs session..

The exciting news is I am a contributor on the Festival blog and will be attending both with the kids and in my own space, I can hardly wait.  Cinema is a fantastic escape!

Quote from Sydney Film Festival Website:
"The 2010 festival will screen the best of the world's cinema, approximately 150 feature-length films from around 45 countries, including features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, a silent film presentation, films for families and a series of industry events and forums."


Some news released today -opening and closing films
The world premiere of South Solitary directed by Shirley Barrett and starring Miranda and Barry Otto will open the Sydney Film Festival!

Image from www.news.com.au

Meredith is a 35 year-old unmarried woman who arrives at a remote lighthouse island 1928 with her uncle the new head keeper.


The 2010 Closing Night film is The Kids Are All Right, starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore Mark Ruffalo and Australia's Mia Wasikowska 

Image from www.indiewire.com

A couple, Nic and Jules (Annette Benning and Julianne Moore), live with their teenage children, Joni and Laser (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson), in a cozy craftsman bungalow in Los Angeles. As Joni prepares for college, her younger brother pesters her for a big favor—help him find their biological father. Against her better judgment, she makes a call to the sperm bank; the bank, in turn, calls Paul (Mark Ruffalo) and asks him if he’s willing to meet his daughter. He agrees, and a complicated new chapter begins for the family.


If you're an I-phone nut - 
SFF has an app so you can buy your tickets online - see the festival blog for details


Want to see the full program?
Pick it up for nothing in tomorrow's Sydney Morning Herald!  


Want to see my picks and reports on the festival?
I'll be blogging about that over at the Sydney Film Festival Blog  follow or get your RSS Feed there!


PLUS


We'll be doing some giveaways here!.... more details to follow my friends.

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