2016 Preliminary Program Released
Winton’s Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival was officially launched in Brisbane this week where the bush came to the city to spread the word with a dinosaur roar of a world premiere, new Aussie dramas and some cult dinosaur classics!
Much loved actor and festival patron, Mr Roy Billing OAM, was joined by Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Ms Leanne Coddington to officially launch the 2016 festival. Winton’s Mayor, Cr Butch Lenton joined the stage to share the promise of things to come for this authentic outback town, home to less than 1,000 people, who despite devastating drought and remote location are determined to stage a film festival like no other.
Winton Mayor, Cr Butch Lenton explained, “The Festival is not only culturally significant for this region, but a crucial element for the economic and cultural survival of Winton and outback Australian heritage”.
The Festival’s Creative Director, Dr Greg Dolgopolov, revealed the festival’s preliminary program, including the world premiere of Red Billabong, an action thriller set in the Australian outback, plus Queensland premieres of the Girl Asleep, awarded Foxtel Movies Audience Award and Suicide Theory, rated at number 5 in The Guardian’s ‘10 Best Australian Films of 2015.’
“In keeping with this year’s Dinosaur theme, we will also be bringing the greatest dinosaur films of all time” explained Dolgopolov. “Quite fitting, as Winton is the ancient location of the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils and location of one of the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampedes. We’ll be screening dinosaur films that will thrill the kids alongside hilarious cult classics and documentaries as well as ab Aussie dinosaur picture that includes Dinosaur Island, the critically acclaimed Dinosaur 13 documentary and cult classics such as One Million Years BC and Caveman, starring Ringo Starr.”
The intensive nine day program will also feature Kids Stakes, a reinvigorated Fatty Finn silent film screened with a dynamic live musical accompaniment, performed by Jan Preston.
A rugby heartland, the festival wouldn’t be complete without the new Heath Davis film Broke (2016) which was filmed in Gladstone and will be screened following a local weekend rugby game in Winton.
Winton is the region where Banjo Paterson wrote, “Waltzing Matilda” and how better to summarise this beautiful event and its tribute to the Australian Outback, than in his words,
And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him
In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wond’rous glory of the everlasting stars.
“The Festival is a not-for-profit incorporated association of local Winton representatives and film industry professionals keen to keep the spirit of Australian film and culture alive in the bush” said Festival Director, Mark Melrose.
For a preliminary program snapshot and information about Winton, visit www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
FESTIVAL TRAILER
In high definition:-
RED BILLABONG MOVIE TRAILER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dEg-OCslC8
FILM + LOCATION IMAGES
Images available here:-
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6bslsk05zefe5zm/AACBzUCT7ggMB9nfSu_KXXRza?dl=0
INTERVEIWS
Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Festival Film Curator and Artistic Director M: 0424 610 123
Mr Mark Melrose, Festival Director M 0461 158 697
Cr Butch Lenton, Mayor, Winton Shire Council M 0438 361 038
Mr Roy Billing, Actor (mobile number available on request)
MEDIA ENQUIRIES Krista Hauritz M: 0421 148 098 E krista@kristahauritz.com.au