Darwin International Film Festival a success despite COVID-19, as event wraps up for 2020

CONCERNS coronavirus would heavily impact the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) have proved unfounded following 10 successful days of alternative film screenings.

Darwin International Film Festival director Blandine Ruffo, middle, with James Parker, left, and Damien Johns. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

• Coronavirus shapes 2020 Darwin International Film Festival
• International Film Festival to go ahead in 2020 thanks to NT’s coronavirus response

CONCERNS coronavirus would heavily impact the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) have proved unfounded following 10 successful days of alternative film screenings.

DIFF director Blandine Ruffo said the biggest change to the schedule was the new relationships she had forged with local organisations to help the festival survive this year.

“The main word that comes to mind is ‘different’ but also it was much more local, much more collaborative,” she said.

“As a festival we deal with a lot of stakeholders but this year a lot more were local, so opened up to more than just films.”

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With the format altered due to the global halt of the film industry, the festival got creative, looking at films from previous years and special features.

“One highlight was the taste of the Territory. Jimmy Shu and another four or five people who were in the show were there to see it,” Ms Ruffo said.

“It was also very lovely to have this moment of locals gathering around this project that was locals talking about taste.

“It was a very moving evening of how proud people are to live here for that love and generosity that goes around which is reflected in the food culture and market life of Darwin.

“I think we were able to show a different side of the venue, of Deckchair Cinema. The live music on the deck has been done before.”

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With the festival traditionally held in May, Ms Ruffo said the team was gearing up for next year’s event already and had a long wet season ahead preparing for the annual event in 2021.

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