Sydney Film Festival 2012 What films to see? Mobo, Not Suitable for Children, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Woody Allen Documentary, premieres, opening night festival hub tickets

The Sydney Film Festival (SFF) is one of the longest running film festivals in the world. The SFF focuses on the best new films around including short films, Australian films, documentaries and archive titles. As well as top quality movies the festival hosts red carpet galas, talks and forums.

Which films to see?

What to see is a tricky decision. The festival selects from a large range of entries, so in theory at least, it should all be worth seeing. The trick is to read through the program and pick out the ones that sound interesting. Be aware that the festival aims to push the boundaries, so hold on to your seat

What are the top films everybody is talking about?

Not Suitable For Children

To be honest, I don't really know if people are talking about this - but they ought to be because it looks like an excellent flick. True Blood's Ryan Kwanten plays a fun loving guy facing surgery to remove one of his testicles. The op will make him infertile. If he wants to have a child it has to be now:

Not Suitable For Children also stars "Packed To The Rafters' Ryan Corr, and star in the making, Sarah Snook. Not Suitable opens the batting for the festival on opening night on the 6th June at the State Theatre at 7:30pm.

Sundance Film Festival - The Beasts of the Southern Wild

The grand jury prize winner at Sundance Film Festival, The Beasts of the Southern Wild will also headline the 2012 Sydney Film Festival. You can see the film on Friday 8th June at 6:30pm at the State Theatre and on Saturday 9th June at 12pm at the Event Cinemas George Street 4.

Mabo

Mabo tells the story of Eddie "Koiko" Mabo and his wife Bonita. The film is more of a personal tale rather than a life documentary about the historic Aboriginal land rights case named after him. The showing of Mabo will be a world premiere at its screening at the State Theatre on Thursday, 7th June at 8:35pm.

Other top Movies

Other big draw cards for the Sydney Film Fest include Berlin Fipresci winner "Tabu" and "Neighbouring Sounds", which won the main prize at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam. Then there's Berlinale Golden Bear winner "Caesar Must Die", Korean animated film "The King of Pigs" and Oscar nominee "Monsieur Lazhar". So many movies to see, so little time and we haven't even mentioned the documentaries.

Documentaries - including "Woody Allen - A Documentary"

The Sydney Film Festival features a selection of top quality international documentaries including Lee Hirsch's "Bully" and "Woody Allen - A Documentary". If you are a Woody Allen fan you should enjoy it:

"As a kid, I dreamed of making movies and of being a movie star. I dreamed of playing jazz in New Orleans. I've done all of these things and been very, very fortunate - so why do I still have the feeling that somehow I still got screwed?"

You can see Woody on Wednesday 6th June at 6pm at the Event Cinemas George Street 9 and on Monday 11th June at 9:30am at the State Theatre.

Where can you see a Sydney Film Festival movie?

Sydney Film Festival Hub at Lower Town Hall - 5pm - 10pm, 7th June - 16th June (2pm - 6pm, 17th June)

Sydney Film Festival Hub at Lower Town Hall is providing free entry to a whole range of events as long as you are over 18. There will be something happening almost everyday of the SFF. Expected events and happenings include talks "by experts" and "program gurus", parties, free live music, performances, DJs and film screenings in the Mitsubishi Theatrette. The Hub will even have its own bar. So what you save on tickets (see below) you can spend on having a drink.

The Hub Ticketing Bar - $10 tickets

Another reason to go is the Hub Ticketing Bar. The Ticketing Bar is the only place you will find $10 tickets (with no booking fee) to selected next day film screenings (open daily 5pm to 8:30pm).

Top things to do in Sydney during the Sydney Film Festival

It is probably not possible to spend all 12 days, and all 12 nights, watching movies. Probably..so you may want to do something else as well. We suggest you visit our list of the top things to do in Sydney, and/or check out What's on in Sydney, and there maybe other festivals on in Sydney to consider.

Sydney Film Festival Competition(s)

The Sydney Film Festival hosts a number of awards to recognise excellence in filmmaking, including the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, (which are Academy Award eligible), the FOXTEL Australian Documentary Awards and, of course, the Official Sydney Film Festival Competition.

Who will win the Sydney Film Festival Competition?

The Official Competition has been established to reward new directions in film. The SFF is looking for films that are "cutting edge and courageous" with "emotional power and resonance". The comp comprises of 12 films including the latest from Somersault's Cate Shortland, World War II drama Lore, and The Tall Man's Tony Krawitz's adaptation of Christos Tsiolkas's novel Dead Europe. If you feel any of these movies is taking you "beyond the usual treatment of a subject matter" you could be watching the winner.

SFF Audience Award

The SFF also want you, the filmgoer, to get involved. You will be asked to rate the films you see from a scale of 1 to 5. The results are added up and announced at the end of the festival.

Who will be at Sydney Film Festival?

The Sydney Film Festival has an appeal for dedicated film buffs to busy film fans eager to catch the latest movie before its Australian release, but most people just go to watch some decent movies. The festival also attracts international film stars and celebrities. Billy Connolly, for example, will attend the premiere of Pixar's new film, Brave. If you are really keen you can look forward to a number of free talks and forums.

Warning - Unclassified films mean you have to be at least 18 years of age

The festival is for everyone over 18. Unfortunately, most films at Sydney Film Festival are unclassified and are restricted to adults aged 18 years and over. If you 17 or younger please check the classification of films before you purchase your ticket.

Sydney Festival Opening Night, Wednesday 6th June

The Opening Night of the 59th Sydney Film Festival is all red-carpet and glamour at the magnificent State Theatre. There is even an after party to be held at "Bungalow 8" with the full 'Film + After Party' package to celebrate the kickoff of SFF 2012 in style. Tickets are limited, see link below.

How do I purchase tickets to the Sydney Film Festival?

Tickets can be purchased through the Sydney Film Festival's online ticketing system (see link at the end of this page) or at the venue's box office during the festival.

What types of tickets are available?

FlexiPass

A FlexiPass allows you to see a variety of films at any of the festival's venues (excluding gala events). A FlexiPass allows you to purchase a group of tickets in advance (10 for $137, 20 for $255 or 30 for $347). A maximum of 4 tickets can be redeemed against one film per pass.

Single tickets

Single tickets will be available for a specific film and session. The ticket prices for the 2012 festival are $18.50 for an adult, concession is $15, Group of 10 or more is $14.50 per head and under 17s is just $10.

Ticket Transaction or Booking Fee

For all of the above you must pay the dreaded booking or transaction fee of $3.85.

Sydney Film Festival 2012

What to see at the Sydney Film Festival?

The Sydney Film Festival is on from Wednesday, 6th June to Sunday, 17th June