Dungog Film Festival 2012

This weekend, apart from being the start of the NSW school holidays, is  when the annual Dungog Film Festival takes place.

Each year the Dungog Film Festival selects outstanding Australian films for exhibition from hundreds of submissions. More than 9,000 people attend screenings in 2011. In addition to discovering filmmaking's newest talent through the Festival's program of documentary, dramatic, and short films, Festival-goers experience live script reads, master classes with leading filmmakers and industry figures, nightly parties celebrating Australia film, and more. 

This year a suite of powerful documentary premieres, compelling new feature films, our legendary Aussie Shorts programs and a screen legend in conversation about her career defining role.  From classics to the cutting edge, works in progress to world premieres, the 2012 Dungog Film Festival program as it all.

The street parade was held today, with a Red Dog theme. Residents joined in  the parade with their own red dog or other pet pooch where the apparently incorruptible local celebrity resident Roy Bean judged Best Red Dog and Best Dog, in the sub category 'A Class of their Own'.

In addition to the canine contingent there were 100 members of the local police force marching to celebrate 150 years of the NSW State Police Force, the oldest police force in Australia, 50 members of the Singleton Town Band, marching children, floats, decorated push bikes and the greatest representation of Ukuleles ever seen in Dungog.

Tomorrow, Sunday July 1, there will be a feature direct from the edit suite, a feast of outstanding new shorts alongside a swag of sessions, forums and kooky cinema celebrations from Dungog locals.

Even on a weekend when the Film Festival is not on, Dungog is a delightful country town to visit and escape the rat race of the city. There are plenty of overnight accommodation options to choose from, and many cafes, restaurants, clubs and pubs to dine at.