Documentary films are a powerful way of creating positive change and are relatively low-cost compared to features. They are ideal for screening on TV channels, through theatrical release and via social media. They, therefore, fit the BOFA programme perfectly.
In 2013 our creative team will source the world’s best documentaries and factual screen productions from:
- a review of the best film festivals nationally and internationally
- liaison with various documentary film organisations
- productions offered by film-makers contacting BOFA directly via owentilbury at bofa.com.au
Typically one of the best BOFA short films from the competitions Prizes and Awards and from our searches, will be screened before each documentary.
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Highlights from BOFA 2012
The 2012 documentary line-up is a celebration of the power of factual film making to inspire positive change. Over a dozen powerful documentaries have been chosen all with powerful stories on personal, local and global themes from countries like Tasmania, Australia, USA, France, Holland, South Africa, Japan and Bangladesh.
We are proud to announce the world premiere of Semi Colin and the Tasmanian premiere of The First Fagin, both fine examples of Tasmanian film making. Most other films are Tasmanian or Australian premieres.
The programme is now finalised at Festival Program. To see some of the exceptional films in different genres just click below:
Screenings in Launceston are at the Tramsheds Auditorium, Village Cinemas, Nualla O’Flaherty Theatre (QVMAG) and Architecture and Design Theatre (Inveresk). In Hobart the Best of BOFA documentary films will screen at the MONA Cinema. Where possible films will screen with a director or producer present for a Q&A.
2011 festival highlights included:
Chasing Legends (USA)
Chasing Legends touches on the rich history, passion and true grit of The Tour as seen through the eyes of Team HTC Columbia throughout the 2009 Tour de France. →more
Bill Cunningham New York USA)
For decades, 80 year old photographer Bill Cunningham has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirees for the Times. →more
More 4 Me (Australia)
Why do we have a craving for more? In the face of the global financial crisis, More 4 Me follows (Writer/Director) Lincoln Fenner around the world as he asks everyone from actors to orphans, ‘What’s the one thing they can’t live without?” →more
If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (USA)
The remarkable story of the rise and fall of an Earth Liberation Front cell, described by the FBI as America’s “number one domestic terrorism threat”. Part coming-of-age tale, part cops-and-robbers thriller. →more
Meat the Truth (Netherlands)
A high-profile documentary, presented by Dutch MP Marianne Thieme, which examines one of the most important causes of climate change: livestock farming. →more
Burning in the Sun (USA)
26-year-old charmer Daniel Dembélé is looking to make his mark on the world. At a crossroads in his life, he decides to return to his homeland, Mali, to build solar panels – the first in his sun-drenched nation. →more
The War You Don’t See (Australia)
Renowned filmmaker and award-winning Australian journalist, John Pilger, explores the role of media in war in this commanding and timely documentary. →more
My America (Australia, Hungary)
As a child, filmmaker Peter Hegedus was obsessed with Hollywood movies – Barack Obama’s stirring post-election speech inspired Hegedus to rediscover his American Dream. →more
El Bulli (Spain)
Three-star chef, Ferran Adrià, is widely considered the best, most innovative and craziest chef in the world. For six months of the year, Spanish chef, Ferran Adrià, closes his 3 Michelin star restaurant El Bulli, repeatedly voted the world’s best, and heads to Barcelona with his team to create a new menu for the coming season. →more
Home (USA)
Narrated by Glenn Close, Home takes you on a visually stunning, spectacular voyage around the world. Filmed entirely from the air, it is a unique film that gives viewers the opportunity to see for themselves how our earth is changing. →more
I saw the best new films I have seen all year, including Mitzi Goldman’s documentary, A Common Purpose. I had not realised what a great opportunity BOFA is for Tasmania filmmakers to meet nationally important filmmakers. Usually one has to travel interstate to get that sort of interaction. I will definitely put BOFA on my calendar to come again – hopefully to show one of my own films next time.
- Heidi Douglas, Tasmanian film maker
