With renowned actor, director and writer, Rachel Ward, weaving her way to the region, filmmakers across the region have just two weeks to put the finishing touches on their films.
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Many people will remember the actress for her starring role in CBS's highest rating mini-series ever, The Thornbirds.
She also starred in the features Against All Odds, Sharkey's Machine and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. She has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award three times.
For the past 15 years Rachel has been directing/writing films and TV in Australia, and festival director Sandy McNaughton said the festival presented a unique opportunity for filmmakers to have their work assessed by industry professionals, such as Rachel.
Sandy said the festival, which was previously held in Bingara, would once again be held in Inverell.
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"The North West Film Festival has been serving the filmmaking community of the north west for 15 years. Over that time, at least 25 entrants have gone on to full time employment in the film and television industry," Sandy said.
"There are a couple of notable entrants both from Inverell; one who went on to graduate from the New York Film Academy and the other who has just returned from pitching a feature film in LA.
"Both credit their experience with the North West Film Festival as the catalyst for their careers," she said.
"Being able to attract a film maker the calibre of Rachel Ward and Bruce Beresford is testimony to the fact that this event really does make a difference and changes lives," said Sandy.
"We really hope that the community supports this unique event. The events are free and open to the general public. Where else would you have the opportunity to meet leading legends of our film industry?"
The general public is invited to watch winning entries when they will be screened at the Festival Awards on Friday, November 29 at the Inverell Town Hall at 7pm.
Rachel will present the award for the Best Film of the Festival.
On Saturday, November 30, workshops and screenings will be presented by additional festival guests actor, director Lewis Fitz-gerald, filmbreaker Jason van Genderen, local digital compositor, Kate Auld, actor Ben Daley and animator Tim Dennis.
"The festival is a celebration of what rural communities can achieve through telling their stories. In these challenging times, our communities need to come together to share their stories and a sense of connectedness more than ever," Sandy said.
Entries for the North West Film Festival will close at midnight on Monday, November 18.
Entries are invited from Primary School aged children from Year 3 though to secondary and Year 12, as well as TAFE students and community members.
The North West Film Festival is a festival for rural communities across the New England North West. It provides the unique opportunity for young people and our communities to tell their stories, to showcase their work, assess the work of their peers, work with industry professionals and celebrate their achievements.