THIS year’s Maleny Film Festival, which will be held from March 24-26. has a novel focus. It is all about how writers are portrayed on screen and the close relationship between literature and cinema. This theme should interest the many locals who are keen readers and book club members as well as those who enjoy the quality films screened by Maleny Film Society every fortnight.
The four films in the festival show writers at work in very different situations, ranging from modern day investigative journalists, to an amateur poet, to a young writer struggling to succeed in nineteenth-century Paris. Two of the films are adapted from books; another features a screenwriter struggling to adapt a book with things going comically wrong.
The relation between a book and ‘the film of the book’ is always interesting. How equivalent can they be? Why might they be very different?
To tease out these and other issues, the festival will include a panel discussion featuring three published authors: Steven Lang, Anthony Mullins (author of a book on screenwriting) and Sally Piper, whose latest novel is currently being adapted to the screen.
Festival Director Andrew Wallace said it was heartening that those who promote reading in Maleny are joining forces with the Film Society.
All bookshops in town have come on board as festival sponsors and some will be setting up displays. The Maleny Library will have a display at the library and a presence in the venue. The festival will be a great opportunity to find out more about relevant books and additional films people can access independently.
Although tickets for individual films will be available, patrons are encouraged to buy a festival pass.
These are very reasonably priced ($30 members, $50 non-members) and include entry to the launch party on the first evening with hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary drink.
The panel session on Saturday afternoon is free and patrons are encouraged to stay on for a drink afterwards. As usual, on Saturday nights takeaway food can be consumed in the venue prior to the Saturday screening.
The Festival takes place at the Maleny Community Centre from the evening of Friday March 24 to the afternoon of Sunday March 26, with two films plus panel session on the Saturday.
Festival passes can be purchased online from March 1 and tickets to individual films from March 12 either online at malenyfilmsociety.au or at the Maleny Visitor Information Centre.