Enjoy Open-air Cinema

Illawarra Mercury

Friday January 4, 2008

KILMENY ADIE

It's that time of year when the great outdoors and cultural events come together for a cinematic celebration.

Across Sydney, the warmer weather will bring moviegoers outdoors with a mixture of events screening short films, Hollywood blockbusters, family favourites and classics.

At Bondi Beach the 17th Flickerfest International Short Film Festival will begin today and run until January 13.

Festival director Bronwyn Kidd predicts sessions of the short film festival - shown in the Bondi Pavilion during the day and outside in the amphitheatre at night - will sell out over the 10-day event. "We have been going now for 17 years and we have 10 days in Sydney and it then tours 17 venues around Australia," Kidd says.

This year, Flickerfest entries tallied 1300 of which 83 were chosen to be screened. The event includes a short film and documentary competitions as well as three curated programs: Bad Girls, Cinema 16 and The Bold, the Brave and the Best.

"I think being outdoors at Bondi Beach and having been there for many, many years has seen it grow up," Kidd says.

"I also think short films have grown in popularity. People understand the quality of the short films that they are going to see and it's a wonderful event."

In Centennial Park the Nissan Moonlight Cinema is screening a mixture of current releases, contemporary films as well as classic movies. The season started last month and will run until March 9.

Meanwhile, the season at the St George Open Air Cinema has reportedly broken box office records through its pre-sale seats. The outdoor cinema, which launches its season on January 11 with The Jane Austen Book Club, is held at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

If you have missed out on buying tickets to these events, then there's always Movies in the Overflow. Part of the Sydney Festival 2008, this is a free event which will be held from tomorrow until January 20 at Sydney Olympic Park.

Flickerfest - Bondi Pavilion. From January 4-13. Shorts are shown in sessions throughout the day and evening. Tickets range from $15 for workshops to $120 for a season pass. Visit www.flickerfest.com.au or call (02) 9365 6888. To book tickets call 1300 306 776.

Movies in the Overflow - Sydney Olympic Park. From January 5-20. Food is available from 6pm. Movies begin at 8.30pm. Entry is free. Call (02) 9714 7888 or visit www. sydneyolympicpark.com.au.

Nissan Moonlight Cinema - Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park. Until March 9. Screenings start around 8.30pm. BYO picnic or purchase dinner and drinks. Tickets range from $10 to $32. Visit www.moonlight.com.au

St George Open Air Cinema - Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point. From January 11 to February 16. Screenings start around 8.30pm. Tickets range from $22 to $25. Visit www.stgeorgeopenair.com.au

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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