The Mackay International Film Festival supported by Screen Queensland and presented by Film and Arts Mackay, started Friday, 1 August 2014 at 7.30pm with the screening of The Finishers and concluded, Saturday 2 August 2014 with the closing night film, Only Lovers Left Alive.

Now in its third year, the Mackay International Film Festival offers film buffs the opportunity to see five quality foreign and independent films on the big screen at Birch Carroll & Coyle Mackay City Cinema.

In this year’s program, the heart-warming French film The Finishers, a critical and audience hit at this year’s Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, will open the festival and will be followed by drinks and supper.

Saturday’s lineup included:

• the 2012 multi-award winning and Academy®-Award nominated for Best Animated Feature Film Ernest and Celestine, a 2012 French-Belgian animated comedy-drama film based on a series of children’s books that tell the story of an unlikely friendship between a bear, Ernest, and a young mouse named Celestine (all tickets at children’s prices);

• Wadjda a 2012 Saudi Arabian film that has picked up awards and nominations at some of the most prestigious film festivals around the globe;

• The Lunchbox, written and directed by Ritesh Bastra, also picking up nods and nominations at many international film festivals including winning the 2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Best Screenplay and Jury Award and the Grand Gold Rail at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival;

• plus the closing night film, Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive starring Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska, nominated for the 2013 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Films and movies are such a powerful way to communicate ideas,” says this year’s Festival Coordinator Sally Dhu.

“Differences in language or culture shouldn’t stop you from relating and empathising with people and their experiences.

“I encourage everyone to come to the film festival and enjoy all these films have to offer – go on a journey with the characters and learn more about yourself along the way.”

Screen Queensland is supporting the Mackay International Film Festival as part of its Screen Culture Funding Program which works to extend the reach of film activities throughout the State including regional Queensland.

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Angela Samut
Communications and Marketing Manager
T +61 7 3248 0500 | M 0405 536 548
E asamut@screenqld.com.au

About Film and Arts Mackay
Film and Arts Mackay is a local not for profit group that is passionate about screening foreign and independent films to the community. The organisation also screens Monthly Friday Film Nights at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music.http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.au/film-arts-mackay