The London Australian Film festival (formerly Oz Film Festival) returns to Regent Street Cinema for its third successive year with an exciting and eclectic selection of new and cult Australian films, including two European premieres, one UK premiere, four London debuts, and two rarely-screened classics celebrating anniversaries.
The OPENING GALA (27 June) will be the London premiere of REACHING DISTANCE (7:30pm), a whip-smart, mind-bending indie thriller. Fans of GROUNDHOG DAY and MEMENTO will love this compelling feature debut of Australian writer-director David Fairhurst, plus a free drinks reception.
The first late-night screening on FRIDAY (28 June) is another London premiere, GHOSTHUNTER (9:00pm), Ben Lawrence's astounding feature documentary, in which one man must face demons of past and present. Absolute proof that truth is far stranger than fiction, this one has more twists and turns than a Hollywood blockbuster!
SATURDAY (29 June) begins with a special 40th anniversary screening of a landmark of Australian cinema, MY BRILLIANT CAREER (2:00pm). This masterful film by Gillian Armstrong and stars a very young Judy Davis and Sam Neill.
The Saturday night late session (8:00pm, 29 June) is the European premiere of taut outback thriller, LOCUSTS. This one promises an intoxicating mix of fast cars, sweeping vistas, and a cracking soundtrack, and was shot on locations in western New South Wales that eagle-eyed fans of Australian cinema will recognise from the original MAD MAX films.
SUNDAY (June 30) kicks off with the UK premiere of STORM BOY (11:00am), a wonderful update of a true-blue family favourite. Adapted from Colin Thiele’s much-loved story, it stars Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush as a disaffected man whose politically engaged granddaughter sparks memories of his own youth, and a close connection with country (and a pelican named Mr Percival). Blending a timely environmental message with a pitch-perfect hit of 1950s nostalgia, this is one to please the whole family!
At 5:00pm (30 June), there is an extremely rare UK screening of ensemble drama ERSKINEVILLE KINGS, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Long before WOLVERINE and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, this underappreciated classic offered Hugh Jackman one of his first major roles as one of a pair of brothers struggling to come to terms with the legacy of their dead father.
CLOSING GALA (8:00pm, 30 June): Hot on the heels of its sell-out screenings at Sydney Film Festival, the festival proudly continues it its tradition of closing the festival with an Australian directorial debut, flying Imogen McCluskey over for a live Q&A after the European premiere of her brilliant coming-of-age indie, SUBURBAN WILDLIFE. There will be a free drinks reception before the feature.
