My main role as part of DIFF was as a member of the Features Programme team. This role saw me choosing the best films that not only highlighted the brilliance that debut films have to offer, but also serve as a perfect encapsulation of the diverse rangefilmmakers we love. Having been the only one on the programming team that had seen all of the films, I felt as though my input was essential. I wanted to choose a variety of films made by a diverse group of filmmakers. This was a big personal goal for me as part of the programming team. It was a challenge trying to acquire the rights for these titles, but it was ultimately very rewarding. Organising and then seeing a DCP of Tony Scott’s The Hunger on the big screen, in a real theatre was a genuine joy. It was also great fun negotiating with film distributors, trying to get films for the cheapest price possible. Feeling like a Wall Street trader, negotiating the price of Elaine May’s A New Leaf was always a great way to spend an early Friday morning.

I was keen to acquire The Hunger because I am an absolute sucker for Tony Scott films and I felt as though The Hunger was perhaps his most underrated work. It is a truly gnarly film, that I knew would play well to a theatre of film lovers. I was also incredibly keen on getting Elaine May’s A New Leaf to play as part of the festival. The film’s addition to the programme was a relatively late decision, but I’m so glad we went ahead with it and were able to shine a light on a terrifically funny film, from one the absolute greatest comedians of all time. Bedevil was also such a thrill to screen. Ronin Films were an absolute pleasure to deal with, and made the process super simple. I really wanted Bedevil to be a part of the fest, as I feel it is perhaps the finest Australian film of the 1990s, but yet a severely underrated film.

I feel as though our efforts on the programming team allowed the programme to become something really special. All the feedback I received from the people who watched the films was incredibly positive and I like to think we introduced a small group of people to a selection of really exciting, underrated films. I feel as though the programme allowed the festival to be something really special and serve as a phenomenal celebration of debut films.

TRIVIA NIGHT

I was also an integral part of the our most significant fund-raising event in the lead up to the festival – the DIFF Trivia Night. From the beginning of the studio, I think everyone was pretty set on a fund-raising event. It soon became clear that a trivia night was the best option, because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a bit of pub trivia!? I happily volunteered to create the entire quiz and hesitantly accepted a co-hosting role, but once I got that mic in my hand, oh boy, I couldn’t get enough of the spotlight. I created eight rounds of ten questions each, with a fun ponderous puzzle to workout in between rounds. The turn out was incredible with roughly 60 people in attendance. This was an unbelievable relief given the deflation amongst the group that would occur any time we checked the low ticket sales! We also raised an impressive amount of money as a result. The feedback was great and everyone seemed to really respond well to the trivia. Most importantly however, I think the trivia night was a phenomenal opportunity for free publicity and was integral in attracting the group of people that came to our opening night.