This weekend (September 12-14) sees the first ever Girls on Film Festival take place at Northcote Town Hall in Melbourne. The festival has been described as a “fan club meets movie marathon meets feminist salon meets house party with girl bands”, and will include screenings of ten brilliant films across the weekend. Each of the films were chosen by feminists and made by feminists, and each demonstrates the humour, solidarity and power of women. Each film will have an introduction and many will be followed by a panel discussion. The films feature women from diverse cultural backgrounds and span a range of genres, from fantasy to documentary. Included are Peter Jackson’s early masterpiece Heavenly Creatures, 1980s classic Heathers, moving Australian drama Radiance and critically acclaimed New Zealand film Whale Rider. The program has a strong focus on music, including live performances and parties.
The festival will be graced by the presence of four incredible women known as The Fairy GOFFmothers. Acting as champions and ambassadors of the festival are Cerise Howard, Anna Barnes, Sarah-Jane Woulahan and Nakkiah Lui. You can learn more about these women here.
It’s so awesome to see an entire film festival dedicated to presenting a program filled with feminist ideals and films. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the first ever Girls on Film Festival!
Here’s a look at the incredible program on offer at GOFF:
Saturday, September 13
11 AM – Ponyo (G). Introduced by Festival Curator Tara Judah. All tickets $15.
2 PM – Girl Germs Teen Dream Session with zines, live music from Georgia Fields, Pikelet and Charm of Finches, nail art and Riot Grrrl workshops of love (includes The Punk Singer). All tickets $30.
4 PM – The Punk Singer (M). Introduced by Fairy GOFFmother Anna Barnes, in conversation afterwards with Festival Director Karen Pickering. $18/$15.
7:30 PM – Heavenly Creatures (M). Introduced by Fairy GOFFmother Cerise Howard, in conversation afterwards with Fairy Goffmother Sarah-Jane Woulahan. $18/$15.
10 PM – Heathers (M). Introduced by Festival Director Karen Pickering. $18/$15.
Sunday, September 14
11 AM – Whale Rider (PG). Introduced by Festival Curator Tara Judah. All tickets $15.
2 PM – T is for Teacher (M). Introduced by President of Transgender Victoria, Grace Lee, in conversation afterwards with director Rohan Spong and Fairy GOFFmother Cerise Howard. $18/$15.
4 PM – Radiance (M). Introduced by Fairy GOFFMother Nakkiah Lui, in conversation afterwards with one of the film’s stars, Rachael Maza. $18/$15.
6:30 PM – Exposed (R 18+). Introduced by Festival Curator Tara Judah, in conversation with GOFF’s own Simone Flanagan, disability advocate and anti-street harassment campaigner. $18/$15.
8:30 PM – Nine to Five (PG). Introduced by Festival Director Karen Pickering in conjunction with all four Fairy GOFFMothers, Nakkiah Lui, Cerise Howard, Sarah-Jane Woulahan and Anna Barnes, followed by GOFF Team farewell. $18/$15.
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Whale Rider (2002)
Radiance (1998)
GOFF is taking place this weekend at Northcote Town Hall, 189 High Street, Northcote. You can book tickets to any of these sessions here. Learn more about GOFF at the official website at www.girlsonfilmfestival.com
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