NORTH BELLARINE FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Don’t Miss Out
We’re happy to share the full program for North Bellarine Film Festival. Check out the information below to see what’s planned and when each activity is taking place. You can also book your tickets from this page.
Feel free to reach out with any questions!
FESTIVAL PASS
The best way to see the whole festival is to purchase a festival pass. A festival ticket provides you with access to all sessions at a discounted price that represents great value.
Yes that's right, cabaret or theatre seating options to the opening night, the short film sessions on Saturday, the live music with Andrea Robertson and the Emerging Filmmakers screening and award presentation.
Friday 18th November at 6:30pm
OPENING NIGHT
Ticket prices
$35 for cabaret seating
$30 for theatre seating
People buying these tickets get free admission to the short film sessions on Saturday.
Opening night is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded art film lovers.
Start the night with finger food from Pier Street Café and a wine from the bar (drinks at bar prices) before moving to the theatre for the official opening and the screening of the 2020 Australian film, High Ground, directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson and stars Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayinggul and Jack Thompson.
High Ground is a gripping action story as well as sobering commentary on colonialism and the film is a vividly engrossing attempt to grapple with Australian history. High Ground is based on historical events that took place in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia just after World War 1.
The film premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in 2020, with the Australian premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival later that year.
6:30pm Doors Open
7:30pm Program Commences
November 19 at 1:00pm
Ticket prices
$25 for cabaret seating
$20 for theatre seating
Ticket provides entry to both sessions
Take the opportunity to see some wonderful short films as curated by our review panel. The films have been submitted from both Australian and International filmmakers and there have been some fantastic short films submitted this year.
The standard of submissions was high this year and it was difficult to leave some films out but the selection panel have finalised their short films for this year's festival. The films include drama, comedy and animation; there is something for everyone in these sessions.
These short films have a few key things in common: originality, concise storytelling, great performances and stunning visuals. If you haven't seen short films before, this is a great opportunity to learn why these films have impact. We can promise you that you will want to see more.
SHORT FILM SESSION #1
We are pleased to announce the following films for the first short film session
1. Negatives directed by Thomas Broadbent (Australia)
2. Enigma directed by Jessica Orcsik (Australia)
3. Mad Martha directed by Jesse Leaman (Australia)
4. The Scent of a Killer directed by Luke Mascioli & Sam Sungmin Lee (Australia)
5. Rosa directed by Jean-Michel Gervais & Gabriel J. Lemay (Canada)
Intermission
Treat yourself to a latte, cappuccino, espresso or your favourite coffee from Bean Cravin' in between sessions.
SHORT FILM SESSION #2
We are pleased to announce the following films for the second short film session:
1. How Should One Wait for Godot directed by Arshia Zeinali (Iran)
2. Magnified City directed by Isaku Kaneko (Japan)
3. Two Lovers and a Yellow Bike directed by William Cattell (Australia)
4. Plaything directed by Nima Rahimpoor (Iran)
5. Why No directed by Olivier Bonenfant (Australia)
6. You Don't Know Me directed by David Émond-Ferrat & Isabelle Giroul (Canada)
SPECIAL SCREENING
Barwon Mansion
Join local filmmaker Mia de Rauch for a special screening of her short film, Barwon Mansion.
The film tells the story of Claire, who has found the strength to leave her unsafe environment and now needs a home that will take her through her journey of trauma. Barwon Mansion is that place. A place that calls to the people who need its protection most - for as long as they need to be safe within its walls.
A Q&A session with Mia, convened by Jessie will follow a screening of this film.
PICNIC DINNER & LIVE MUSIC

We don't want you to go home, so why not bring your own picnic dinner and enjoy it on the outside patio while listening to a live music session by Ocean Grove singer, songwriter and musician Andrea Robertson. Andrea will be playing and singing some of her original songs as well as some other favourites.
Just a perfect way for you to get into the mood for the Emerging Filmmakers Award session.
Saturday 19th November at 6:30pm
EMERGING FILMMAKERS AWARD
Ticket prices
$35 for cabaret seating
$30 for theatre seating
People buying these tickets get free admission to the short film sessions on Saturday.
This is a great opportunity to meet and support our young filmmakers. Start the evening with finger food from Pier Street Café and a wine from the bar (drinks at bar prices) before heading into the theatre to see the films from the finalists in the award.
For many of the filmmakers this is the first time that they will see their films on a large screen in front of a live audience.
The presentation of the emerging filmmakers award is the highlight of the night.
6:30pm - Doors Open
7:30pm - Program Commences
And the finalists (in alphabetic order) are:
1. Fear Animus Director: Cole Smith
2. Dance Class Director: Marcus Galic
3. Goodbye Director: Joe Doedel
4. Knock Knock? Director: Matilda Rose Berger
5. La Tansouna (Don't Forget Us) Director: Sarah Ghassali
6. Memoirs & Lies Director: Jeremy Heddle
7. No Thoughts, Head Empty? Director: Quinn Franks
8. Suitcase Director: Emily Reeve
9. Tea? Director: Joel Harris
10. Unsaid Director: Alex Nesic
11. Vacant World Director: Phoenix Petterwood