2024 DARWIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Announces fests in Katherine & Mparntwe/Alice Springs

Full program to be launched August 12 with NT premiere of Kneecap

Darwin’s premier screen culture event returns to the iconic Deckchair Cinema in September with 11 nights of Premieres under the tropical stars, 14-24 September. In 2024, with the support of the NT Government’s Community Benefit Fund, DIFF will present DIFF Down the Road in Katherine (19-22 September), and the inaugural Mparntwe/Alice Springs International Film Festival (MASIFF) (3-13 October).

Darwin International Film Festival is a feast for film-lovers! The hottest cinema highlights curated from around the world together with culinary delights, live music, special guests and more. Screen Territory’s NT Screen Summit (21-22 Sept), brings the industry focus with workshops, masterclasses, panels and opportunities for the NT screen sector to connect and network with the broader screen community from down south and beyond.

DIFF Down the Road in Katherine, takes over Katherine Cinema 3 from 19 to 22 September, with a selection of highlights from the 2024 DIFF program. DIFF Down the Road is presented by DIFF and the Darwin Film Society in partnership with the Katherine Film Society.

In Alice Springs the inaugural Mparntwe/Alice Springs International Film Festival (MASIFF) will bring the best of local and international film to the Red Centre from 3 to 13 October. MASIFF is produced by Red Hot Arts with support from DIFF and the Darwin Film Society.

DIFF’s full festival program will be revealed on August 12 at Deckchair Cinema with the NT Premiere screening of Kneecap, Rich Peppiatt’s raucous and entertaining comedy based on the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking Irish-language rap trio Kneecap – the Belfast trio who became the voice of a generation.

The film stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award® nominated Michael Fassbender with Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds, Fionnuala Flaherty and Josie Walker. Set in west Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to “change the sound of Irish music forever”. Kneecap won the coveted Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, just swept Ireland’s Galway Film Fleadh winning Best Irish Film, Best Irish Language Film and the Audience Award and is 96% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

The screening follows a live performance by the legendary Saltwater Band, with their iconic mix of traditional songs and reggae/ska influenced pop.

DIFF Manager James Parker said “We are thrilled to be able to share DIFF with audiences outside Darwin as we launch events in Katherine and Mparntwe/Alice Springs. 2024 is lining up to be the biggest and best DIFF ever. Our launch film Kneecap is both a major international award-winning box office hit, and an entertaining and thought-provoking cult classic in the making. It sets the scene for the festival to come, as we reveal the full program on August 12.”

The 2024 Darwin International Film Festival is presented by the Darwin Film Society, NT Government Community Benefit Fund, NT Major Events and Screen Territory. DIFF gratefully acknowledges the support of Screen Australia and Randazzo Properties.

TIX ON SALE: DIFF.NET.AU

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