From March 31 to April 2, a selection of venues across Sydney’s Inner West will play host to a dazzling array of award-winning Australian and world movie premieres, including a fistful of new features shot in the Inner West made by current and one-time denizens of Sydney’s cultural and creative heartland.
“Sydney’s Inner West is one of Australia’s most inclusive, creatively and culturally vibrant communities, home to artists, musicians, writers, actors, cineastes, and filmmakers, and host to the country’s best live music venues, restaurants, bars and cinemas…the only thing the Inner West was missing was its very own film festival!” explained Dov Kornits, co-founder/director Inner West Film Fest.
Iconic Inner West venues such as Palace Cinemas Leichhardt and Dendy Cinemas Newtown, will host over 15 special events, spanning a diverse range of genres, documentaries, and exclusive Q+A screenings. Other highlights include a very special 35mm retro screening of a star-studded feature film shot right in the heart of the Inner West, plus a range of satellite events from March 29: an Australian movie poster exhibition, filmmakers’ talks, pitching and short film competitions, and for the brave, a ‘Top Secret Cinema’ event.
Supported by Inner West Council, Inner West Film Fest will launch with a free community outdoor event at Marrickville Golf Club on March 31. Featuring the Sydney premiere of Indigenous coming-of-age story, Sweet As, winner of multiple awards on the international film festival circuit and destined to become a feel-good classic.
“We want to bring the community in the Inner West together for an exciting celebration of film. We want to celebrate not just the cultural richness of the Inner West, but the medium of film itself, and its ability to bring people together. We are so excited to kick off what will hopefully become an essential date on Sydney’s cultural calendar every year and will make one of Australia’s most vibrant artistic and cultural hubs even more exciting… even if that might sound impossible!” Greg Dolgopolov, co-founder/director Inner West Film Fest.
Full program listed below and ticketing information here.
• Bank of Dave (Unclassified, 15+) 2023, United Kingdom
• Erskineville Kings (M) 1999, Australia – Special 35mm screening
• FP 4EVZ (Unclassified, 15+) 2023, US/Australia – Australian Premiere
• The Longest Weekend (Unclassified, 15+) 2022, Australia
• My Sailor, My Love (Unclassified, 15+) 2022 , Ireland/Finland/Belgium
• Olga (M) 2021, Switzerland/Ukraine/France
• Once Upon a Time in the West (M) 1968, Italy/US – Special 4K screening
• Padre Pio (Unclassified, 18+) 2022, Italy/Germany
• The Red Shoes: Next Step (PG) 2023, Australia – World Premiere
• A Room of My Own (Unclassified, 18+)2022, Georgia – Australian Premiere
• Senses of Cinema (Unclassified, All ages) 2022, Australia
• SHIT (Unclassified, 18+) 2023, Australia – Sydney Premiere
• Short Film Showcase (Unclassified, 15+)
• Still Working 9 to 5 (Unclassified, All ages) 2022, US – Australian Premiere
• Sweet As (M) 2022, Australia
• Top Secret Cinema (MA) – Mystery special new screening
