The 2023 Castlemaine Documentary Festival (June 16-18) will be officially launched tonight June 16 at Castlemaine’s historic Theatre Royal with opening night celebration ‘LOCALS’.
Following the success of the inaugural LOCALS event in 2022 which saw the Theatre Royal packed to the rafters, this evening’s showcase will once again see audiences enjoy a wonderful selection of creative short form storytelling from locals of Castlemaine and surrounds.
C-Doc board member and Suzanne Donisthorpe said in 2023 we will hear from 13 local filmmakers as they present a diverse range of intriguing stories up on the big screen.
“Once again, the colour and diversity of our local voices is set to impress. From explorations of “What Makes a Local” to a “moment of nature and its innate choreography”, contemplations of the “power of kindness in the context of a Truck Show” and insight into the creative process behind dance troupe Lady Fun Times and the birth of Castlemaine Fringe, LOCALS 2023 definitely celebrates the rich and vibrant community we find ourselves in,” says Donisthorpe who will MC the LOCALS event alongside Tony Jackson.
The LOCALS program has been coordinated by Kyla Brettle. Come along to hear local stories told by local voices at the festival’s opening event from 7pm! Tickets are just $18 Adults, Under 15s $10.
Saturday the C-Doc festival program kicks into full gear with four films to screen at the Theatre Royal including Australian premiere Trained to See, Wantandar My Countryman followed by a panel discussion, the world premiere of local film Equal the Contest followed by a panel discussion, and The Thief Collector followed by the Saturday Night Party – an 80’s Art Heist themed party and dance with M79 live!
On Sunday the screenings continue with Into the Ice, Weed & Wine, Young Plato followed by a panel discussion, and finally Grass accompanied by a live score by ZÖJ.
This year Castlemaine Documentary Festival (C-Doc) also introduced a second venue – The Yurt – a beautiful micro-cinema located at Western Reserve – easy walking distance to the Theatre Royal.
The Yurt features an alternative program of family-friendly sessions across the Saturday and Sunday mornings and enticing programs for young people in the afternoons and evenings. The full Yurt program and tickets can be found at https://cdocff.com. au/2023-festival/yurt/
C-Doc director Claire Jager said the theme for their ninth festival is ‘No One Has The Last Word’ and it will feature eight incredible films, four panels, the new Yurt program and much more.
“Once again the program features great storytelling, great characters and the opportunity for great discussion on a range of issues. We will also welcome the Stone Soup Kitchen from the Castlemaine Community House which will be serving warming soup to keep our film buffs warm between screenings in the Theatre Royal brick courtyard,” she said.
“For those who are unable to make it to the festival there is also the opportunity to view our films online from the comfort of your own home,” Jager said.
Continuing C-Doc’s spirit of innovation and bold storytelling this year, they are bringing a showcase from SENSILAB, a Monash University research lab at the frontier of new media technology.
From 2pm today at the Phee Broadway Theatre three world-renowned, leading industry experts Jon McCormack (SensiLab), Oscar Raby (SensiLab/VRTOV), and Nirma Madhoo (RMIT) will present the history of XR technology, and the future possibilities of XR to a general audience to get the community excited about the possibilities of XR technology, building an audience for future years.
Following these presentations will be a panel discussion, moderated by Kate Clark (Monash University).
Castlemaine Art Museum will also launch their next Terrace Projection ‘Equal the Contest’ by Mitch Nivalis today to coincide with the 2023 Castlemaine Documentary Festival. This commissioned video work will screen on the CAM façade every evening until September 10.
For tickets to this weekend’s festival visit cdocff.com.au