Roll-out the red carpet, the Dinosaurs are coming in 2016!
Winton, the much loved tiny town in the heart of Outback Queensland is rolling out the red carpet to welcome the greatest dinosaur films of all time as part of the third annual, Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
The festival’s 2016 theme, The Dinosaurs Are Coming – Greatest Dinosaur Films of All Time is inspired by Winton’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils in the world and the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampede.
“The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival screens outback inspired Australian content,” explained Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Artistic Director of the festival. “This year audiences can expect the very latest in Australian film, including a couple of world premieres which we’ll be announcing in the lead up to the event. Last year we welcomed Aussie favourites, Michael Caton and Mark Coles Smith to Winton for the Queensland premier of Last Cab to Darwin and this year will be no exception”.
The festival kicks off on Friday the 24th June followed by 8 days of workshops, masterclass luncheons with famous Australian actors and film dignitaries, tours of the iconic outback film locations, live music, kids club and films screened in three outback cinemas, including the historic open-air cinema, The Royal Theatre, in Winton’s main street. For those wanting to rub shoulders with Aussie talent of the silver screen, make your way there for opening night and afterward go to the famous North Gregory Hotel for the official after party.
“There are films to cater to every taste including recent films from this year, films with limited release, rare and classic films and some of the best dinosaur and monster films from around the world, as well as kids films, horror and short films made during the festival as part of the QANTAS short film competition,” said Dr Dolgopolov.
The birthplace of QANTAS and Banjo Patterson’s infamous Waltzing Matilda, the quaint town of Winton entices visitors with its rich history. With a population of less than 1,000 people the welcome by locals is always warm and this part of the outback will be sure to steal a place in your heart.
In a recent interview, former Australian Governor-General, Quentin Bryce shared her love of this special location. “Winton is a very favourite place in Outback Queensland. It’s where my mother, a city girl set out to take up teaching there in 1932 and where she met my father. My parents loved the west; it’s where our family was formed and it remains very special to us. The landscape is enormous, magnificent wilderness surrounded by cliffs, boulders and gorges. Its grandeur and beauty touch my heart and give me a sense of belonging”.
Winton is located 178 kilometres north-west of Longreach; 470 kilometres south-east of Mount Isa and approximately 1,350 kilometres from Brisbane. However you choose to travel, whether it be a road trip in a Winnebago, the romantic experience of train travel or by air, there is plenty to experience along the way.
If you love dinosaurs, Australian films and want to have a unique off-the-beaten track experience in 2016 then make tracks to Winton, Outback Queensland for an outdoor cinema experience to remember. The perfect way to holiday this June is taking in the spectacular sunsets followed by the greatest dinosaur movies of all time at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival from 24 June to 2 July. For the latest information visit www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
HOW TO GET THERE:
You can drive, fly, coach and rail it to Winton.
- Qantas flies direct from Brisbane to Longreach (Winton is a two-hour drive from Longreach) qantas.com.au
- Spirit of the Outback with Queensland Rail, from Brisbane to Winton queenslandrailtravel.com.au
- Bus Queensland coaches depart Brisbane and Mount Isa with travel to Winton http://busqld.com.au/
WHERE TO STAY
Winton has a variety of accommodation from retro refurbished hotels, motel, caravan and camping options. For accommodation details visit : www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
WHEN Friday, June 24th to Saturday, July 2nd 2016
2016 PRELIMINARY TRAILER View here:- http://bit.ly/1QPRuRi
FAST FACTS
- Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is Australia’s only outback film festival
- Winton, coined “Australia’s Hollywood of the Outback” is the location of recent feature films including internationally acclaimed The Proposition, Mystery Road and soon to be released Goldstone starring Jackie Weaver and Aaron Pedersen
- The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is a non-for-profit organisation formed in 2014 by the Winton community to boost cultural tourism , encourage film production, investment and offer a unique film education curriculum for students in the Outback and the Winton district
- 2016 Festival theme: The Dinosaurs Are Coming – Greatest Dinosaur Films of All Time
- –Winton has the largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils in the world, housed in the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum. Winton is also home to one of the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampedes at Lark Quarry
INTERVIEWS
Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Artistic Director M 0424 610 123
Cr Butch Lenton, Mayor, Winton Shire Council M 0438 361 038
Mr Mark Melrose, Festival Director M 0461 158 697
MEDIA SUPPORT & HIGH RES IMAGES
Krista Hauritz M 0421 148 098 E krista@kristahauritz.com.au