The 68th Sydney Film Festival is back and will be the first major festival to be held in Sydney’s CBD as restrictions are lifted for the city.
The Festival will run from 3 November until 14 November, and in its aim to be more accessible, it will also host a bespoke ‘On Demand’ programme online through SFF On Demand from 12-21 November.
“This year’s 68th Sydney Film Festival arrives at a historic and celebratory time for the city, as we come together again with people we have desperately missed, and in the places we yearn to return to – cinemas,” Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley said.
“With major disruptions in cinema releases, the Festival selection brings together some of the best films of the last two years; extraordinary works from major award-winners to some of the most anticipated films of the year.”
The Festival will present 233 films from 69 countries, bringing together hundreds of international and local stories. There are 111 feature films, including prize-winners from prestigious festivals around the world; 50 documentaries tackling crucial contemporary issues from established and upcoming documentarians; and 72 shorts. Of these films almost half are directed or co-directed by woman filmmakers.
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Two Greek films also feature in the programme, Apples directed by Christos Nikou and Green Sea directed by Angeliki Antoniou.
Apples serves as a critique to modern day “selfie culture”, and has joined the merging genre of Greek Weird Wave cinema.
The film was Greece’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Academy Awards and premiered at Venice Film Festival, and was part of the Official Selection at the Toronto International Film.
Apples also has some international star power behind it, with Australian Oscar award winner, Cate Blanchett credited as an executive producer.
Green Sea director Angeliki Antoniou also produced and starred in her film, which first premiered at the Kitzbühel Film Festival in August 2020.
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The story follows Anna, who despite losing her memory has not forgotten how to cook and embarks on a journey to rediscover herself by cooking for the locals at a tavern. Anna’s food evokes powerful emotions, creating a bond between her and the regulars, ultimately leading to the discovery of her true identity.
The film which will be making its Australian premiere at the Festival also stars Yannis Tsortekis who played Takis in the 2018 award winning film Suntan.
Both films will be available to watch in cinemas and on demand.
Take a look at the trailers below and book your seats at www.sff.org.au