The Briagolong Film Festival Committee has decided not to stage the festival for 2017, as we have needed to take a break to concentrate on a major renovation of the roof of our historic hall.

We remain committed to the annual Film Festival and we are confident it will be back and better than ever in 2018.

You will still get to see some amazing Australian films this winter, and enjoy a toasty night by our open fires… Yes, we have again been honoured with being able to show the St Kilda Film Festival Regional Tour – Saturday 22 July, 7.30pm.

Tickets are $15 – keep an eye on the Facebook page for information on the program. https://www.facebook.com/briagolongfilmfestival

And don’t forget, you can buy your tickets for the event on trybooking.com from Monday 26 June at 9am. Be quick – there are lots of eager local film fans who need a 2017 fix

We are sorry to disappoint anyone and hope that you are able to support the Hall and enjoy some fabulous Australian films from our St Kilda Festival friends.

Our reputation for having excellent taste in films, and knowing how to bring in the film-loving crowds has extended beyond the boundaries of Gippsland.

We are honoured to be able to bring you the Best of 2016 St Kilda Film Festival, here in Briagolong, one night only, Saturday 20 August.

The show will be in two programs, featuring award-winning short films, with an interval between the two.

BYO drinks and nibbles, or enjoy hot drinks for $2.

The films are unclassified and some may have themes unsuitable for children, so this is a strictly 15 years and over event, unless accompanied by an adult.

The program starts at 7.30pm, and doors open at 6pm for ticket sales. Tickets are $15 and will aid fundraising for the hall.

For full information on the programs being shown:

The Director’s Choice Program 

The Award Winners Program

We couldn’t just leave you like that…

The Saturday night Short Film Program proved once again why it is such a popular part of our Festival. It is a wonderful example of the imagination and skills of our local amateur filmmakers.

We decided to give you another chance to check out the Shorts, so here is a link to the Vimeo channel for the Briagolong Film Festival Short Film Program:

https://vimeo.com/channels/1085462

It truly is a celebration of Gippsland’s creative talent, from children making their first film to experienced amateur filmmakers, featuring documentaries, slideshows and community projects and iconic Gippsland scenery.

And check out the synopsis and details of the films on the Vimeo channel, or download a copy of the Program handout here: Briagolong Shorts 2016 Program

A huge thankyou to the efforts of all of the filmmakers, and the many more who have told us they have started their projects and will be ready for next year’s festival. The video skills workshops we provided were well received and have helped at least three of tonight’s entries, so a big shout-out to Mick Green of Drift Media who gave taught us all so many great Tips & Tricks.

Before you go, one final reminder.  Don’t wait a whole year for your next film fix in a community setting (Netflix on your sofa just isn’t the same as sharing the experience with like-minded film fans).

Save the date: Saturday 20 August we have a special treat for you with the Best of the St Kilda Short Film Festival 2016 coming to our Briagolong Mechanics Institute – the only venue in Central and East Gippsland.

And, of course, you don’t need to trek to the city to see the best Arthouse films (those you’re unlikely to get in local cinema). Just check out the Stratford Courthouse Society’s July-December program, it’s a lovely, intimate theatre. Click here for more details. Check out their special events and the monthly Film Society – great value.

See you all again next year – or even sooner at one of the above 🙂

It’s a wrap

What a wonderful time we’ve had. The 12th annual Briagolong Film Festival is over and so many of you braved the cold weekend to come out to our toasty-warm heritage hall and enjoy some of of Australia’s finest recent films.

A huge thankyou to all of you who attended for making this event such a fixture, and renewing old friendships – and making some new ones.  The films are drawcard enough, but it’s also lovely to warm up by our log fires, with a glass or a cuppa while waiting for the screening to start (the benefits of getting there early!).

Yet again, we are indebted to our sponsors, whose help makes the event much more feasible to run as a community event – after all, we are trying to keep our historic hall well-used and well-maintained.  So thank you to:

The RACV, Wellington Shire Council, Film Victoria and the Stratford Courthouse Theatre – you are wonderful supporters of community programs.

And we can’t let the weekend close without a big thankyou to our Festival coordinator, Annette Short, and all of the Briagolong Mechanics’ Institute committee – it really is a team effort over many months.  And here’s to a special mention for our behind-the-scenes technicians, Neil Sandison and Geoffrey Benton, for the hours they spent setting up and keeping the event running smoothly.

For those who would like to find the Shorts from our popular Short Film Program:  here is the link to our vimeo channel, where they are all now “live”:

https://vimeo.com/channels/1085462

See you all next year! 🙂

Tilly’s back

The gorgeous and heart-warming The Dressmaker (M) opens tonight’s Briagolong Film Festival at 8pm, with doors opening at 7.15pm for ticket sales.

Get in early folks, as the seats will fill fast for this one.  And if you are planning to come early to get a meal at either the Riverstone Cafe or Briagolong Pub, book ahead today because they may be run off their feet.

You can see the rest of the program here  2016 FilmFestival_program_new  and also here 2016 FilmFestival_program_new_inside

Get excited people 🙂

One day to go to the Briagolong Film Festival.

Get in early to get your tickets at the door.

One for the kid in everyone.

The always-popular Family Movie on Saturday 11th June at 11am, is the heartwarming and true story of eccentric chicken farmer, Swampy Marsh (Shane Jacobson) who discovers that his mischievous Maremma dog, Oddball, has a skill that could help protect the local penguin colony.

Tickets for the family movie are $5, and an adult must accompany children under 12. Doors open 10.30am for sales – it’s usually popular, so get in early for tickets.

For the rest of the weekend’s programs, click here  2016 FilmFestival_program_new   and here  2016 FilmFestival_program_new_inside