More Than a Film Festival: What Actually Happens at Vision Splendid
Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Creative Director, welcomes patrons to the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
If you’ve never been to the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, it can be hard to picture what it’s really like. Yes, there are films, exceptional Australian films, but that’s only part of the story. What makes Vision Splendid special is everything that happens around the screenings: the conversations, the music, the places, and the moments that could only happen in Winton.
Set in Outback Queensland, Vision Splendid unfolds over nine days in late June, weaving cinema into the fabric of the town itself. Screenings, special events and shared experiences spill across heritage venues, open-air theatres and iconic local locations, creating a festival that feels immersive rather than programmed.
Opening night, the Vision Splendid way
Last year’s Opening Night Gala perfectly captured the spirit of the festival.
Festival-goers, VIPs and locals gathered at the Waltzing Matilda Centre to officially open the week, joined by special guest David Wenham. The evening was warm, relaxed and unmistakably outback, complete with generous cheese board canapés, drinks flowing, and live entertainment from S.T. Ruth, one of the Crackup Sisters and a proud Winton local, who had the room smiling with her whip cracking and storytelling.
As the sun dipped, the crowd made its way together to the Royal Open-Air Theatre for the Opening Night screening of renowned actor David Wenham’s lead role in Split. Walking through town under the stars before settling into an open-air cinema is a Vision Splendid ritual, one that turns a screening into a shared event rather than a simple movie night.
Conversations that stay with you
One of the most loved parts of the festival is Breakfast with the Stars, and last year marked the largest ever, with more than 100 attendees filling the courtyard of the Winton Hotel.
Over breakfast, audiences listened as David Wenham shared thoughtful and generous reflections from his career, and watching from the audience was Delvene Delaney. The setting was relaxed, the conversation deeply human, and the atmosphere one of genuine connection.
When cinema meets live music
Vision Splendid is also known for pushing cinema into unexpected territory. One of last year’s standout nights saw Brisbane blues band Shade Hadie perform a live, sometimes eerie score alongside a screening of Wake in Fright (1971), a film David Wenham himself described as his favourite of all time.
The combination of live music, classic cinema and the open-air setting created a powerful, unforgettable experience that rocked the house and wowed the audience.
global Cinema, but make it Winton
Then there are the moments that could only happen here.
A world-first partial screening of Primitive War took place at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, because of course it did! A match that felt both obvious and brilliant. The event was joined by director Luke Sparke and co-director Carly Sparke, adding depth and insight to an already memorable night.
During the day, audiences were also treated to screenings like Not Russian Anywhere, an online series created by Annisa Belonogoff, shown as part of the Postcode Doesn’t Matter initiative with WIFT Queensland. Now an AACTA Award–nominated series, it’s a perfect example of Vision Splendid’s commitment to championing emerging voices and meaningful Australian stories.
More than a festival
At its heart, Vision Splendid is about connection, between filmmakers and audiences, between visitors and locals, and between stories and the places that shape them.
It’s a festival where a screening turns into a conversation, a breakfast becomes a highlight, and a walk across town under the stars feels like part of the program. And for many who attend, it’s not just something you watch, it’s something you’re part of.
That’s what actually happens at Vision Splendid. If you’d like more information or have any questions, feel free to email us at enquiries@visionsplendidfilmfest.com
