The last three Canberra International Film Festivals had serious, challenging films on their opening nights. So artistic director Simon Weaving decided for the 16th festival it was time to start with a laugh. He chose the British comedy The Angels' Share to begin the 60-film program.
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The Angels' Share is about a group of young men doing community service who hatch a plot to steal Scotland's most valuable whisky. Weaving said, "I saw it at Cannes – it was my favourite film at the Cannes Film Festival." It's directed by Ken Loach, better known for social realist dramas, and addresses some serious issues, such as unemployment.
American director Benjamin Epps, whose film Queen Freak screens on Saturday, was the opening-night guest. He's one of "a record number of filmmakers" who will be festival guests including directors Justin Dix (Crawlspace), Boyd Hicklin (Save Your Legs!) and actors Matthew Modine (Queen Freak) and Laurene Landon (Maniac Cop).
All five CIFF presidents were present – Pat Cooper (1996-1999), Ron Miller (1999-2002), Graham O'Loghlin (2002-2009), Virginia Haussegger (2009 - 2012) and the incumbent, Nicole Mitchell.
Speaking before the screening of The Angels' Sharee, she said she was "very excited" about seeing it and being of Scottish descent herself was wondering, "Should I wear a kilt or not?"
A graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School with a long career in film and television and the CIFF's vice-president for the previous three years, Mitchell noted that of the world's 5000 international film festivals, 4000 were less than 10 years old.
"My question is: why?" she said, given the many ways in which people can view films nowadays including online.
Her answer was "the three Cs – creativity, context and community. People want to be exposed to ideas, that's creativity, they want the ideas to be curated and given context and most importantly, they want to share an experience – the last C."
A resident of Gundaroo, she said she was "passionate" about films – making them, watching them and talking about them – and said there would be plenty of opportunities for audiences to engage with filmmakers in Q&A sessions and to discuss them afterwards.
The Canberra International Film Festival runs until November 11. View the program and film trailers at canberrafilmfestival.com.au
