STAT E O F
PLAY with
COFFS HARBOUR MP GURMESH SINGH
Festivals are helping people across the Coffs Coast emerge from the despair and devastation of COVID, floods, bushfires and drought, by simply being able to have fun. Festivals are about celebrating inspiration, creativity, appreciating new perspectives, and admiring and respecting the contributions of the participants.
T
he recent 2022 Screenwave International Film Festival, better known as SWIFF, is a Coffs Coast signature event and is increasingly popular with locals
and visitors.
So much so, just over 10,000 people attended this year’s SWIFF, which is proudly locally produced and sponsored. The Festival Patron is Australian film and screen icon and Coffs Coast resident Jack Thompson. The 7th annual SWIFF was a full 16-day festival with more than 130 sessions to enjoy, bringing us an even larger World Cinema program with titles direct from Sundance and the international circuit. We celebrated world premieres, Australian premieres, and an extensive selection of Australian films with the launch of the inaugural Ferguson Film Prize. SWIFF is driven by the passion and dedication
64 COFFS COAST
focus
of founder and artistic director Kate Howat and founder and festival director David Horsley. They and their festival team work tirelessly to deliver a challenging, exciting and unique festival experience, while the small army of volunteers makes the festival hum.
From the moment the gates are thrown open, we will be farewelled from Gumbaynggirr Country to enter STORYLAND, a world built by light and sound which will immerse us in the mythology of stories and take us back to the place where stories were created.
SWIFF this year saw the addition of STORYLAND, a new live music, installation arts and performance festival-within-afestival.
The inaugural Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival - which received $225,500 in NSW Government funding through the Regional Events Acceleration Fund - will be celebrated across various local venues from 4-13 June.
I’m proud to say STORYLAND attracted some $700,000 in funding from the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
I know the Amplify Events team looks forward to presenting the Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival to our community.
It was originally set down for 23 April at Park Beach Reserve but the constant wet weather presented significant obstacles. Organisers are working towards a date in the near future.
It promises to be a major drawcard for local foodies and visitors who are set to spend up in local shops, cafes and businesses.
STORYLAND is a one-day playground of live music and art thanks to the talented creative directors Alison Page and Nik Lachajczak and their extraordinary team.
The Festival will be a mixture of dining sessions, workshops and digital experiences, featuring live music and art installations to create an immersive, multi-sensory dining experience.
