Randwick Festivals Hit The Spot

By Dan Hutton on March 9, 2011 in News

Festival fever hits Randwick this March with the local municipality playing host to two of the year’s biggest events (which also happen to overlap!).

On March 2, the Australian Film Festival takes flight at its screening HQ, the iconic Randwick Ritz Cinema, kicking off its thirteen day program with a special showing of The Wedding Party, starring Aussie actors Josh Lawson, Isabel Lucas and Steve Bisley.

“I’m excited to announce that The Australian Film Festival is back and we’ve got one hell of a line-up. We were lucky enough to secure a sensational new Australian film for opening night so we’ll have momentum on our side from the get-go,” Festival organiser Barry Watterson told The Beast.

Now in its second year, the Australian Film Festival will be ritzier than ever with a slate of new Australian films and a bunch of old classics that you shouldn’t miss.

Guests will be inspired by unreleased features, outdoor screenings, seminars and workshops, and fringe events with Q & As by some of Australia’s best filmmakers.

“We’re aiming to provide something to suit everyone’s taste. It’s a hard task but I think we’ve managed to pull it off. It’s a ripper of a film festival, and all Australian, so don’t miss it!” Watterson added excitedly.

The closing weekend of the Australian Film Festival coincides with Randwick City Council’s annual street fair, The Spot Festival. There’ll be exciting market stalls, an array of multicultural food and some fantastic live entertainment including a capoeira demonstration, a Bollywood production, performances by Randwick Girls and Boys High Schools and a set from dance-floor fillers Martina Club to get everyone grooving at the end of the day.

“Randwick’s The Spot is fast becoming ‘the place to be’ in Sydney with an amazing collection of culinary delights in a friendly village atmosphere. The Spot Festival celebrates what makes the area great – the food, the boutique shops, the culture and the community,” Randwick City Council’s Events Officer Katie Griffith explained.

“The 2011 Spot Festival is set to be the best yet. Our great partnership with the Spot Business Association, The Ritz Cinema and The Australian Film Festival has allowed us to grow this festival year on year.”

At the end of the day, The Spot Festival and the Australian Film Festival will join forces for an official presentation to the latest inductees into the Australian Film Walk of Fame. Sigrid Thornton, Jack Thompson and Gary Sweet will be immortalised with their very own plaque installed on the pavement outside the iconic Randwick Ritz Cinema, joining the likes of Claudia Karvan, Bud Tingwell, Steve Bisley and Michael Caton.

This presentation will be followed by the final event of the Australian Film Festival, The Australian Short Film Festival, which will see some of Australia’s best filmmakers pitting their skills against each other for the title of ‘Australia’s Best Short Film’ (they’ll even receive a special plaque that can go straight to the pool room!).

To find out more about the Australian Film Festival jump on to www.australianfilmfestival.com.au. For more information on The Spot Festival, visit Randwick City Council’s website at www.randwick.nsw.gov.au.