For the first time since 2020, the Screenwave International Film Festival is returning to the historic Bellingen Memorial Hall - bringing the festival back to the iconic venue and to film lovers all over Bellingen and surrounds. BMH will be pumping with films both weekends of the festival.
YOU CAN GO NOW
FRI 21 APR · 4PM · BMH
A fierce and uncompromising documentary about First Nations artist and activist Richard Bell’s life and art- ssembling a supporting cast of artists, academics, and activists, from his childhood on Bidjara Country (Charleville, QLD), his schooling on the streets of Redfern and the Canberra Tent Embassy, Bell’s art reflects on how much has been done towards achieving Indigenous emancipation, while being aware of the long road ahead.
THE SURVIVAL OF KINDNESS
FRI 21 APR · 6PM · BMH
Rolf de Heer’s stunning new film is a poetic rumination of pure cinema, following BlackWoman through apocalyptical landscapes- as she is pressed to reckon with her identity, her mission, and her will.
There will be a Q&A to follow the screening.
MY OLD SCHOOL
SAT 22 APR · 10.30AM · BMH
It’s 1993, and 16-year-old Brandon is the new kid in school. Soon he’s top of the class, acing exams and even taking the lead in the school musical. He’s the model pupil, until he’s unmasked…
Pressing into the “truth is stranger than fiction” genre, with the main subject refusing to be filmed, but still agreeing to be interviewed, My Old School utilises playful, period-specific animation, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, and the talents of actor/comedian Alan Cumming to bring this incredible tale to life.
THE ROAD TO PATAGONIA
SAT 22 APR · 6PM · BMH
Already proving to be a festival favourite, see the new touching Australian doco and love story with a hoofbeat following Matty Hannon as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, crossing paths with a woman who will change his life forever.
There will be a Q&A to follow the screening.
MOONAGE DAYDREAM
SUN 23 APR · 1PM · BMH
This utterly unique musical & cinematic odyssey – narrated by Bowie himself via archival audio – explores the depths of David Bowie’s career, from his iconic final Ziggy Stardust performance, to his earlier experimental works. Genre defying, gorgeous, and not to be missed.
NEPTUNE FROST + RETURN CHUTE
SUN 23 APR · 6.30PM · BMH
A very special double feature for Bellingen, see the World Premiere of locally made short film Return Chute: The Survival of a Small Town Video Store chronicling the journey of Bellingen’s beloved Bellingen Video Connection, since it was bought by Rod O’Hara in 2018.
After the screening, settle in for Neptune Frost, a stunning, afro-futurist sci-fi punk odyssey following a group of activists trying to take their land, labour, and identities back from the oppressive Authority.
CLOSE
FRI 28 APR · 4PM · BMH
A stunning portrait of transformative friendship between two young boys, Close is an unforgettable experience and soul stirring masterpiece of naturalism and sympathy, earning director Lukas Dhont the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival.
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
FRI 28 APR · 8.30PM · BMH
Don your best cardigan and join us for the 25th anniversary of the Coen Brothers’ classic cult comedy!
The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is unwillingly wrapped up in a crime caper, and just wants his rug back. It really tied the room together.
KEEP STEPPING
SAT 29 APR · 1PM · BMH
Two competitive, young street dancers train for a life-changing dance comp in this remarkable peak into the underground Sydney street dance scene. Patricia, Romanian-born and hanging out for a visa, is a break-dancer. Gabi, of Chilean-Samoan heritage, pops with power. Both hope a win at Australia’s largest dance comp, Destructive Steps, will be the platform from which to change their future.
Features a Q&A and performance after the screening.
SAT 29 APR · 3.30PM · BMH
From SWIFF alum Jolyon Hoff comes a deeply touching journey of self-discovery, identity, and connection through the eyes of Afghan refugee, Muzafar Ali.
Muzafar, a father, husband, and photographer living in Rural Australia discovers the rich history of cameleers in Australia, stretching back 160 years. In a bid to understand his own Afghan-Australian identity, he begins to meet with the traumatised yet resilient community, and photograph their descendants, a mix of Aboriginal, Afghan, and Colonial Australian, learning more about Australia’s complicated history.
Jolyon Hoff will be in attendance.
THE GIANTS
SUN 30 APR · 4PM · BMH
The fates of wild forests and humans wrap around and intertwine in The Giants, a poetic portrait of environmentalist Bob Brown and the natural forests he has dedicated his life to protect, from seedlings to forest ancients.
Told in Bob’s own words, The Giants interweaves his 50 years of inspiring activism – from the Franklin campaign to save Tasmania’s last wild river, to today’s battle for the Tarkine rainforest. Bringing to the screen a star-studded cast of windswept eucalypts, Huon pines, and myrtles, The Giants is a stunning, visual, big screen feast.
Bob Brown will be in attendance.
JOYLAND
SUN 30 APR · 6PM · BMH
A stay-at-home husband secretly takes on a job as a backup dancer in an erotic theatre in Lahore, Pakistan, in this fearless Cannes Film Festival favourite.
Spirited daydreamer Haider happily bucks the status quo as a stay-at-home carer for his father and nieces, while his wife works as a make-up artist. But as generational pressure from the family patriarch mounts, Haider secretly seeks out a job as a background dancer in an erotic theatre. Increasingly drawn to the star of the show, the ambitious and glamourous trans starlet Biba, the ripples from their impossible romance slowly illuminates a desire for rebellion and freedom.