Cockatoo Island Film Festival

First published on 22 Feb 2012. Updated on 29 Oct 2012.

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Helen Hunt, Rachel Weisz, Joaquin Phoenix, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Hutcherson and Elijah Wood are among the international stars with new films screening this month in the inaugural Cockatoo Island Film Festival, October 24-28.

The festival’s full programme has been announced and includes 15 brand new feature films competing for the Golden Feather – Australia’s newest film award – for best feature film. The 15 films come from around the world, from South America to Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia and the US.

Ten feature documentaries will screen in competition for the Documentary Award, spanning topics including the Arab Spring; the real-life inspiration for James Bond; notorious American serial killer Glen Rogers; and Paul, the Psychic Octopus.

Major new films screening out of competition include:

The Master – Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama inspired by the L Ron Hubbard story and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman screens as the opening-night gala on Wednesday October 24.

The Sessions – Helen Hunt stars as a sexual surrogate in this provocative true story of a paralysed man seeking a sex life, directed by Australia’s Ben Lewin.

360 – Hopkins, Law, Weisz and Ben Foster star in a drama linking the sex lives of people from around the world.

Maniac – Elijah Wood stars in an acclaimed slasher movie.

Seven Days in Havana – Seven major directors each contribute a story set in the Cuban capital, featuring The Hunger Games’ Josh Hutcherson.

Frankenweenie – Tim Burton’s 3D animation will have its Australian premiere at the Cockatoo Island festival.

Legendary Australian directors Peter Weir and Jane Campion will give masterclasses, and schlock filmmaker Larry Cohen will appear on panels for the SPAA Fringe component of the festival.

As part of In the Raw, four unproduced screenplays will receive live professional read-throughs, including a screenplay by actor Matt Day (pictured with festival co-creative director Stavros Kazantzidis).

Five temporary cinemas will be constructed on the island including an outdoor silent cinema.

Attendees will have a choice of limited passes ($45), day passes ($75/$85) and full-festival passes ($230/$320 including opening night).

Visit the festival website for full details.