Bellingen is set to become a haven for cinephiles once again as the Bellingen Film Lovers festival returns, offering a curated selection of the past year’s cinematic gems in a unique and community-focused setting.
As the evening air starts to crispen, it’s the perfect excuse to snuggle in the darkness for a silver screen experience. Especially when it’s local, communal and involves a rollcall of the past 12 months’ finest cinema offerings soon to vanish from the big screen.
Bellingen Film Lovers festival, a seven-day cinema binge session curated by Bellingen Memorial Hall frontman and sleepless film buff Phil Nicholas, returns for a sophomore run this month.
From Monday 28 April to Sunday 4 May, the Hall will screen a program of 12 movies hand-picked from ‘best-of’ lists, which Phil describes as “viewing experiences during which I found myself delighted, moved, shocked or laughing out loud”.
Determined to continue keeping Bellingen on the map as an annual hub of cinema, particularly following SWIFF’s departure from the region, Phil says cinema is not only in the Memorial Hall’s DNA, but it’s taking the film-going experience to the next level for audiences.
“The building was funded 100 years ago, from the proceeds of running an outdoor picture house, and today, following a $9M upgrade, the Hall can provide a brilliant cinema experience. An area down the front of the raked seating will be furnished with sofas, cushions and bean bags.”
Phil built the program with the goal of giving Bellingen audiences a final chance to catch BAFTAS, Oscars & Cannes Film Festival-winning movies from 2024 on the big screen. “There is also a free screening of The Wild Robot on Saturday, 3 May, which is a great opportunity for the whole family.”
The festival is also reviving a much-loved cornerstone of the classic era of cinema: The Intermission. Each film screening will have a half-time break. “Use the break to get out of your seat, conduct a half-time review of the film so far, go to the loo, grab a drink. Fill up your popcorn and buy a chop top.”
The Choc Tops come with an added feel-good factor: During the festival, they will be sold by an OzGreen volunteer, with proceeds going to fund local riverbank regeneration projects.
Single screening tickets are available via the event website, bellingenfilmlovers.com.au, with discounts for every additional screening ticket bought.
Runt poster
La Chimera poster
TWR poster
Runt movie
TWR movie
Bellingen Film Lovers Festival