The Real Film Festival is back, starting Summer 2019 with a bang! Transforming spaces in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens with bold films showcasing real stories and cutting edge documentary’s about real issues.

We have a program filled with a star-studded line up of internationally celebrated film practitioners running 18 industry development workshops, a Masterclass, 2 panel discussions and Q&A after every film.

The Festival celebrates the very best of non-fiction cinema for the eighth consecutive year, turning the Hunter region into a documentary-lovers paradise and a place to celebrate local stories and regional storytelling talent. The 2019 Real Film Festival has attracted a range of film making talent, some of whom have made themselves available for Q&A sessions after the film screenings as part of the festival program.

Come along to experience the most moving, informative, challenging and mind altering short and featured length documentaries made throughout 2019. This remarkable collection of real stories have global, national and local significance, and you will be able to spend time with the storytellers themselves; to answer your questions and explore the films more deeply.

Save the date, and join us this year at a location near you!
Newcastle- Nov 15 to Nov 17
Lake Macquarie- Nov 21
Maitland- Nov 28
Port Stephens- Dec 5

Short Film Competition
Entries still Open!
The 2019 Real Film Festival short film competition is now live, and once again we’re focusing on the art of storytelling real stories through film.
Categories this year include: ‘Social Justice, Environmental and Human Rights Issues,’ ‘Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity,’ ‘Hunter Region Stories’ and of course our Non-Competition category!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry, and brush up on the terms and conditions.

THE SHORT FILM COMPETITION – WASTE is your chance to share your story about why you do your bit when it comes to reducing waste, and how it all comes back to you to make a change. The Real Film Festival is on the lookout for creative filmmakers wanting to tell their stories on how they can reduce, reuse and recycle waste in their communities, homes, schools, teams and businesses.
$6,000 in cash and prizes to be won!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry.

Presenter Sneak Peek
Don McAlpine, Michael Cox, and Tim Crosbie are just a few of the award-winning film industry professionals we have running this year’s film workshops at the 2019 Real Film Festival.

From working on the set of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, to Avatar, Superman Returns and Mrs. Doubtfire; this year’s Presenters come with a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, tailored into filmmaking workshops!

The Real Film Festival is back, starting Summer 2019 with a bang! Transforming spaces in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens with bold films showcasing real stories and cutting edge documentary’s about real issues.

We have a program filled with a star-studded line up of internationally celebrated film practitioners running 18 industry development workshops, a Masterclass, 2 panel discussions and Q&A after every film.

The Festival celebrates the very best of non-fiction cinema for the eighth consecutive year, turning the Hunter region into a documentary-lovers paradise and a place to celebrate local stories and regional storytelling talent. The 2019 Real Film Festival has attracted a range of film making talent, some of whom have made themselves available for Q&A sessions after the film screenings as part of the festival program.

Come along to experience the most moving, informative, challenging and mind altering short and featured length documentaries made throughout 2019. This remarkable collection of real stories have global, national and local significance, and you will be able to spend time with the storytellers themselves; to answer your questions and explore the films more deeply.

Save the date, and join us this year at a location near you!
Newcastle- Nov 15 to Nov 17
Lake Macquarie- Nov 21
Maitland- Nov 28
Port Stephens- Dec 5

Short Film Competition
Entries still Open!
The 2019 Real Film Festival short film competition is now live, and once again we’re focusing on the art of storytelling real stories through film.
Categories this year include: ‘Social Justice, Environmental and Human Rights Issues,’ ‘Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity,’ ‘Hunter Region Stories’ and of course our Non-Competition category!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry, and brush up on the terms and conditions.

THE SHORT FILM COMPETITION – WASTE is your chance to share your story about why you do your bit when it comes to reducing waste, and how it all comes back to you to make a change. The Real Film Festival is on the lookout for creative filmmakers wanting to tell their stories on how they can reduce, reuse and recycle waste in their communities, homes, schools, teams and businesses.
$6,000 in cash and prizes to be won!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry.

Presenter Sneak Peek
Don McAlpine, Michael Cox, and Tim Crosbie are just a few of the award-winning film industry professionals we have running this year’s film workshops at the 2019 Real Film Festival.

From working on the set of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, to Avatar, Superman Returns and Mrs. Doubtfire; this year’s Presenters come with a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, tailored into filmmaking workshops!

The Real Film Festival presents: “In February 2006, two young Australians were convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia and were sentenced to death by firing squad. During their 9 years in prison, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were rehabilitated and began many positive activities within the prison, such as mentoring other prisoners and helping to teach English.

Myuran became an accomplished artist, while Andrew became an ordained minister and established a church inside the prison. Rev Christie Buckingham was Myuran’s spiritual adviser. This is her eye witness account of a night that will not be forgotten.”

Followed by Q&A’s with Director Jamie Humphries and Sanctuary Director Kaye Harrison

Execution Island will be followed by a screening of the feature film: Sanctuary

Khaled fought against the “beast” of terror when working as
an interpreter for the Coalition Forces in Iraq. Born Iraqi but
raised in the Netherlands he believes in Western ideals of
freedom like any Dutchman. But Khaled couldn’t escape the
legacy of violence and spends the next 10 years travelling
across 4 continents in search of safety. In the age of terror,
Khaled is someone to be feared and is treated inhumanely.
In 2015 he documents his quest to return home. Will he find
sanctuary and have the life he always deserved or will he
finally crack and become the “beast” they all fear him to be?

Followed by Q&A’s with Sanctuary Director Kaye Harrison, and Execution Director Jamie Humphries

Sanctuary will follow the screening of the short film Execution Island

Join us Friday, November 29th at Maitland Gaol for an Outdoor Cinema Event, screening short film ‘Execution Island,’ and heart-stopping feature film ‘Sanctuary.’

Gates open at 6:30pm for guests to enjoy the food and beverage options available, before settling down to watch some incredible, and moving Australian made films.

Short film ‘Execution Island,’ which was filmed at Maitland Gaol, follows the story of “two young Australians convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia in 2006. Sentenced to death by firing squad, during their 9 years in prison, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were rehabilitated and began many positive activities within the prison. Myuran became an accomplished artist, while Andrew became an ordained Minister and established a church inside the prison. Rev Christie Buckingham was Myuran’s spiritual advisor. This is her eye wittness account of a night that will never be forgotten.”

Following short ‘Execution Island,’ feature film ‘Sanctuary’ will also be screened in the presence of its makers.

“Khaled fought against the “beast” of terror when working as an interpreter for the Coalition Forces in Iraq. Born Iraqi but raised in the Netherlands he believes in Western ideals of freedom like any Dutchman. But Khaled couldn’t escape the legacy of violence and spends the next 10 years travelling across 4 continents in search of safety. In the age of terror, Khaled is someone to be feared and is treated inhumanely. In 2015 he documents his quest to return home. Will he find sanctuary and have the life he always deserved or will he finally crack and become the beast they all fear him to be?”

Q&A’s with Sanctuary Director Kaye Harrison and Founder of Zara’s House Refugee Centre Sister Di Santleben together with Execution Island Director Jamie Humphries and actors Cathy Burnside & Andrew Yang will follow.

Jump online now to purchase tickets before they sell out!
https://realfilmfestival.com.au/program-ticket/sanctuary-nov29/

Workshop 1: Film like a PRO on your iPhone for beginners
December 5 @ 09:00 am – 11:00 am

This workshop explores the latest in iPhone film-making gadgets, practical tips and techniques for making your iPhone the centre of your production toolkit.

If you’ve ever considered making a movie on your iPhone, then don’t miss this amazing, interactive workshop.

Presenter: Jason Van Genderen

Workshop 2: Building Virtual Worlds – A journey into the VFX and VR Industry
December 5 @ 11:30 am – 01:30 pm

The first half will be a discussion on the Visual Effects and Virtual Reality Industries, there place in film now and into the future. This talk will also discuss the avenues people can take to get a foothold in the industry and the challenges, hurdles and rewards one can expect from this exciting field.

The second segment will be a demonstration of how simple it is to begin creating your own virtual reality experiences. I will demonstrate this by utilizing very accessible yet Industry leading software and content libraries to build a simple VR demonstration live. The idea is to demonstrate how with all the often free or inexpensive software available today the world of VFX and VR has never been more accessible.

Presenter: Michael Cox

The Real Film Festival is back, starting Summer 2019 with a bang! Transforming spaces in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens with bold films showcasing real stories and cutting edge documentary’s about real issues.

We have a program filled with a star-studded line up of internationally celebrated film practitioners running 18 industry development workshops, a Masterclass, 2 panel discussions and Q&A after every film.

The Festival celebrates the very best of non-fiction cinema for the eighth consecutive year, turning the Hunter region into a documentary-lovers paradise and a place to celebrate local stories and regional storytelling talent. The 2019 Real Film Festival has attracted a range of film making talent, some of whom have made themselves available for Q&A sessions after the film screenings as part of the festival program.

Come along to experience the most moving, informative, challenging and mind altering short and featured length documentaries made throughout 2019. This remarkable collection of real stories have global, national and local significance, and you will be able to spend time with the storytellers themselves; to answer your questions and explore the films more deeply.

Save the date, and join us this year at a location near you!
Newcastle- Nov 15 to Nov 17
Lake Macquarie- Nov 21
Maitland- Nov 28
Port Stephens- Dec 5

Short Film Competition
Entries still Open!
The 2019 Real Film Festival short film competition is now live, and once again we’re focusing on the art of storytelling real stories through film.
Categories this year include: ‘Social Justice, Environmental and Human Rights Issues,’ ‘Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity,’ ‘Hunter Region Stories’ and of course our Non-Competition category!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry, and brush up on the terms and conditions.

THE SHORT FILM COMPETITION – WASTE is your chance to share your story about why you do your bit when it comes to reducing waste, and how it all comes back to you to make a change. The Real Film Festival is on the lookout for creative filmmakers wanting to tell their stories on how they can reduce, reuse and recycle waste in their communities, homes, schools, teams and businesses.
$6,000 in cash and prizes to be won!
Head to https://realfilmfestival.com.au/short-film-competition/ to submit your entry.

Presenter Sneak Peek
Don McAlpine, Michael Cox, and Tim Crosbie are just a few of the award-winning film industry professionals we have running this year’s film workshops at the 2019 Real Film Festival.

From working on the set of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, to Avatar, Superman Returns and Mrs. Doubtfire; this year’s Presenters come with a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, tailored into filmmaking workshops!

Defend Conserve Protect unfolds as three very distinct annual migrations take place in the cold and furious Southern Ocean; the illegal Japanese Commercial Whaling Fleet; the Sea Shepherd Anti-Whaling Fleet; and the whales. Despite the three vastly different reasons for undertaking these journeys, all are inexplicably entwined and can no longer be separated.

Q&A’s with Acting Coordinator Sea Shepherd Hunter & Central Coast Karina Micheli

Defend Conserve Protect will follow a screening of the short film Bulletproof: Ashley

Continue the conversation with drinks and canapes.