International Film Festival to go ahead in 2020 thanks to NT’s coronavirus response

THE Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) will go ahead this year but be split into two parts to accommodate coronavirus restrictions

The Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) will go ahead this year but be split into two parts to accommodate coronavirus restrictions. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) will go ahead this year but be split into two parts to accommodate coronavirus restrictions.

DIFF 2020: Take One will be held from September 18 to 27 and feature a program of films screened in the last decade of the festival.

DIFF 2020: Take Two is earmarked for May next year in the hope borders will be open for new film screenings, the Capricornia Film Awards, the NT Screen Summit and more.

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DIFF festival director Blandine Ruffo said organisers turned were leaning towards a virtual event but given the Territory’s progress during the pandemic, decided to go ahead with the festival.

“We thought that it would be a better thing to actually have an event, and have it for our community for Territorians and really offer them an experience as soon as possible,” she said.

Take One will be held at the Deckchair Cinema, and Take Two will be held at a variety of venues.

Ms Ruffo said postponing events such as the NT Screen Summit to May, with interstate travel likely to be allowed, enabled local filmmakers to make interstate and international connections and continue growing the Territory’s screen industry.

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“We didn’t want to compromise either on audiences that were really keen to get out and celebrate any form of art, including film, as soon as possible and we didn’t want to compromise on what we can offer to the screen industry with those events that involves travelling,” she said.

“Local filmmakers, they really rely on those initiatives to connect with the rest of the country when we’re so remote here and we’re still very much trying to grow this industry.”