BOFA Film Festival audiences will laugh out loud at Book Week, the 2019 BOFA opening night film, a packed BOFA Program Launch at the Academy Gallery were told last night. The Australian comedy is based on writer/director Heath Davis’s experience as a teacher and the kids and fellow-teachers he met.
The packed 16-19 May program, includes 32 films in eight different themes ranging from Stories of Us, World Stories to Strong Women.
Gillian Armstrong, director of the iconic My Brilliant Career, will host a red-carpet party, an Indonesian themed red-carpet party will showcase Indonesian Stories and the opening night after party will be at Mudbar Restaurant.
The popular Day on the Kingsway food and wine festival is back, there’s a My Favourite Film art and photography exhibition at the Academy Gallery, Inveresk and there’ll be popup screenings of classic films in quirky settings!
Program Director, Helen Tilbury, said that there is something for every film lover and festival goer at this year’s BOFA.
“We’ve found films from Paraguay to Palestine, showcasing films that won’t hit the Tasmanian cinemas,” she said.
“In the context of #metoo and the fact that there were no female directors nominated at the Oscars, BOFA is proud to have over 50% of films directed by or about women this year.”
“There are pop up screenings of films like Days of Thunder at Balls ‘n’Bumpers, the Day on the Kingsway is expanding with more food and wine stalls plus Maypole dancing, and our action sessions will get people talking about the big issues.”
Festival highlights include Ghost Stories with Martin Freeman (The Hobbitt), the stranger-than-fiction Three Identical Strangers, food classic Tampopo from Japan, Ferrante Fever that explores the amazing success of this reclusive author, and Defend Conserve Protect about The Sea Shepherd.
“The festival grew by 15% in 2018 and we think that the 2019 BOFA will be the best yet,” she said.
“This inclusive and friendly festival is uniquely Tasmanian but also very international in its outlook. It’s fun, it’s challenging and, now in its ninth year, it’s a community-run event that we can all be very proud of.” she said.
Full program and details available from the BOFA website: www.breath-of-fresh-air.com.
