Sydney Film Festival

Film buffs rejoice! The Sydney Film Festival (SFF) will soon be upon us. The SFF runs from 6 – 17 June 2012, and it’s one of the longest running events of its kind in the world. The SFF brings the best new films from around the world, right here to Sydney. There are features from over 40 countries, short films, Australian films, documentaries and archive titles.
The SFF also hosts a number of awards, such as the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films (which are Academy Award eligible), the FOXTEL Australian Documentary Awards and the Official Competition, which celebrates ‘courageous and audacious filmmaking’.
The SFF spans across the city, with films shown at locations such including:
State Theatre, Sydney Film Festival Hub @ Lower Town Hall, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, Art Gallery of NSW, Martin Place Amphitheatre, SFF Festival Lounge at Grasshopper, Apple Store.
A host of Sydney restaurants have joined the celebration, offering $ 35 Dining Delight deals, exclusively for SFF patrons. Participating restaurants include:
Caffe Sicilia, Chefs Gallery, The Cut Bar & Grill, Dome Restaurant, Etch, Gazebo Wine Garden, Glass Brasserie, Grasshopper Eating House and Bar, MOS Café, The Norfolk Hotel, Opera Bar, Otto Ristorante, Quarter Twenty One, Sake Restaurant & Bar, Sky Phoenix Chinese Restaurant, The Winery.
You can buy Single Session Tickets (adults $ 18.50) or Flexipasses (from $ 137 — $ 347).
So, make sure you check out the website and make the most of the SFF!

Two years ago I interviewed people on the red carpet and went to the opening night and after party, last year I skipped that and I had an even better time.
The Sydney Film Festival shows some outstanding films each year, some that go on to large distribution deals and so can be seen at a future date, but others, as amazing as they are do not secure a deal and thus can be near impossible to track down again.
The film festival makes use of varying cinemas throughout Sydney, from the grandiose; such as the State Theatre, to the mainstream; like Event Cinemas on George Street; down to the independent, represented by the Dendy in Circular Quay.
They provide a wide range of films in all different genres, with about ten films vying for the grand prize in the official competition. Occasionally the festival will even host the films director or cast for a Q & A after the screening.
Tickets can be bought in ten packs, twenty packs, day or night passes or individually. There’s always something on that is sure to suit your taste and it’s well worth checking out the schedule and making a date to see an amazing film before it even enters the public consciousness.
The festival runs in June each year and from what I understand, it’s only going to get better.

I love the Sydney Film Festival. Not only does it draw a decent selection of Australian and International films, it gives Sydney a chance to enjoy film in venues across the city. There is the usual hosts — Event Cinemas on George and Dendy Opera Quays — and the more unusual — Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Contemporary Arts and Sydney Town Hall. It is as if the city really gives itself to celebrating the arts. The festival is held in June each year — 6 – 17 June 2012 is coming up. The program always includes an interesting line up of features, docos, short films and animations. The best way to experience the festival is to buy a Flexi Pass, which basically means you can purchase a bunch of tickets at a reduced price. As the festival is a competition your vote counts, so don’t forget to nominate your favourite films for the coveted prizes.