Hosted and curated by Brit adventurers, film-maker Austin Vince and travel author Lois Pryce, The Adventure Travel Film Festival has graced the UK and the USA but this is its first trip down under! The festival offers a weekend of inspirational talks, workshops and hanging out amongst the fabulous scenery of the Great Alpine Valleys, not to mention the celluloid backdrop of some of the greatest travel films ever made. Australian adventure greats Jon Muir and Tim Cope will be there to introduce their films and inspire the crowds.
Adventurous gems gracing the screen this year include classics from the golden age of exploration such as First Overland – the 1955 Oxford & Cambridge Land Rover expedition from Britain to Singapore, hardcore watery exploits from Canada, Colin Angus with his thrilling Yenisey River (2007) - paddling the wilds of Mongolia and Siberia, and rare motorcycle movies including the 1970 counter-culture treat, Cycles South featuring what is surely cinema’s only stoned nude dirt-biking scene!
Of course, there is some homegrown talent too. The festival is proud to present the awesome Four Strokes of Luck (2010) that follows the incredible adventures of two Ozzies tackling the Darien Gap on a boat powered by their own motorcycles! And one from the archives - Back of Beyond, a haunting 1950s documentary following an outback mailman along the remote Birdsville Track.
The festival features many other spectacular travel films from the last 70 years covering every continent and form of transport including bicycles, motorcycles, buses, 4x4s, canoes and even a spot of train-hopping! And to add to the vibe, there will be an open-air starlight screening each evening.
Weekend ($65) and day passes ($35) will be available in advance from October (tickets will also be available on the door but more expensive). Tickets include not just films but workshops on film-making and presentations from top notch adventurers. There are local hotels, campsites and B&Bs aplenty, with all budgets catered for.
The festival takes place from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th February 2012 at the Bright Tourist Information Centre and Bright Brewery, right at the heart of Beautiful Bright (Vic).
This event is a must for any sane human, adventurer or not, who has ever dreamed of exploring our great wide world. Itchy feet guaranteed!
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Film Victoria