Veterans Film Festival – overview

The RSL National Veterans Film Festival (VFF) is an annual event that puts the spotlight on stories about veterans’, first responders, their families and the influence of warfare on our society.

VFF presents a curated program of carefully selected feature films, short films and media art from Australia and around the world.

Its focus is on recent work by talented independent filmmakers – with some mainstream films also screened.

There are also opportunities to meet filmmakers and content creators.

All films submitted to the official competition will be eligible to compete for the coveted Red Poppy Awards – inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Field’.

Last year, Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman, won the Red Poppy Award for Best Feature Film

First held in 2015, the Veterans Film Festival has become a highly respected event in the Defence and local arts community with RSL National named as Principal Partner for the past three years, and the Australian Defence Force signing on as a Strategic Partner from 2017.

Festival partners recognise that the festival’s focus of sharing the stories and experiences of serving and ex-serving Defence members, can play an important role in helping the general public understand the issues impacting today’s veterans and their families.

VFF offers a meeting ground and artistic canvas to engage with filmmakers, actors, festival audience and veterans of all ages, cultures and abilities.

Organisers encourage talent and assist in the development of filmmakers and content creators highlighting contributions from serving and ex serving veterans, first responders and their families experiences.

Veterans Film Festival Incorporated, is a not-for-profit organisation.

 

Last year’s winners:

• Best Feature Film – Darkest Hour directed by Joe Wright (UK)
• Best Indie Feature Film – And We Were Young directed by Andy Smetanka (USA)
• Best Australian Short Film – Miro directed by Victoria McIntyre
• Best International Short Film – She Will Be Loved directed by Chadwick Pelletier (USA)
• Best Animation – All The Winters I Haven’t Seen directed by Omid Koshnazar (Iran)
• Best Young Filmmaker Award – Miles Gibson for Homeward Bound (Australia)

 

The 2018 Veterans Film Festival will run from Thursday to Saturday 1 to 3 November – more details as they come to hand.

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