Ride the culture wave – the international film festival popping up in paradise
When you think about Noosa, your mind probably wanders to thoughts of pristine beaches, lush national parks, high-end shopping on Hastings and hazy days spent in the sun. Whilst all of this is part of what makes the Sunshine Coast hotspot famous, Noosa also has a thriving cultural scene that is truly blossoming into its own unique entity. One of the key events emerging in this renaissance is the Noosa International Film Festival, returning for its second outing following a sterling debut last year. Running from October 26–29, the world-class event brings a taste of film, rock, talks and workshops from all around the globe to the coast.
Since its launch last year, the Noosa International Film Festival has quickly established itself as a highlight on the Sunshine Coast’s cultural calendar. The four-day cinema blitz presents a program that spans across leading venues in both Noosa and Eumundi, spreading the goodness to the corners of the coast. This year’s NIFF will echo 2016’s format of three key festival streams – World Cinema presenting new release feature length films, an international short film competition, and its Inside Cinema stream with esteemed special guests including acclaimed film director Rolf de Heer, sound editor James Currie and cinematographer John Seale. Across each stream a mammoth range of genres and formats will be explored – from the entertaining to the educational and from the light-hearted to the emotional, there’s something for every taste.
Although the whole Noosa International Film Festival program is packed with action, there are a few highlights you simply shouldn’t miss. The opening night promises to stun, with pre-film drinks under the stars with some industry legends before a screening of high-intensity thriller Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe. There are also two totally unique musical experiences happening at the festival this time around, incorporating the talents of local bands live scoring some cinematic classics. Surfing documentary Men of Wood and Foam will receive a jazzy live set courtesy of Band of Frequencies, and Eumundi’s very own HoneyBird will be presenting a face-melting rock opera performed live to Fritz Lang’s iconic silent film Metropolis.
If you could do with a dose of culture served with a slice of paradise, you can browse the whole Noosa International Film Festival program and buy tickets through the official website.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
