The Fleurieu Film Festival (FFF) held an exclusive launch event at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre on Sunday 26 November, revealing the exciting details of its upcoming 8th edition, scheduled for Saturday 3 February 2024.

Sponsors, judges and award recipients attended the event, including Onkaparinga Deputy Mayor Mick Fisher, Margaret Lynch, and Helen Onopko from the Independent Arts Foundation, Adam Ritchie, Helen Carter from Flinders Uni, Susie Williams from Fleurieu App, Laura Fell, Rick Davies from Adelaide Film Festival and FFF Board, Caroline Rowe from FFF Board, Carolyn Corkindale - Director of FFF, Michael Oakes - donor, and special guests Cole and Harrison Thomas.

Festival Director Carolyn Corkindale expressed her excitement about the festival's growth, announcing that this year's edition has received a record number of high-quality submissions.

The festival will be held at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre, offering an evening under the stars, complemented by music from the City of Onkaparinga Concert Band starting at 6.30pm.

Adding to the entertainment is folk trio Heather Road who will join the line-up at 7.30pm. Food trucks and a selection of wine, beer and coffee from the cafe in the Visitors Centre will be available.

Festival Director Carolyn Corkindale

Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased through the official festival website.

The event also acknowledged the unwavering support of Platinum Sponsors, including the City of Onkaparinga, Old Coach House Estate, Wallis Cinemas, AJ Sound, and Outdoor Cinema, as well as Gold Sponsors such as Harcourts Winecoast, UniSA, Pro AV, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Flinders Uni, Channel 44, Urban Cine, McLaren Vale Visitor Centre, and Bendigo Bank.

The Festival Board expressed gratitude for the support from local Fleurieu businesses and industry partners, including Bunnings Seaford, Harcourts, The Meeting Place, Bellevue Estate Wines and Old Coach House Estate.

The ongoing support from sponsors and partners enables the Fleurieu Film Festival to provide a crucial platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent to the public.

Rick Davies, a renowned filmmaker and FFF board member, shared his journey into the world of filmmaking and announced a new award, Focus on Fleurieu, to be presented at the festival. This initiative aims to deepen the festival's connection with the region and support emerging filmmakers.

Rick Davies, filmmaker and Fleurieu Film Festival board member

Caroline Rowe, another FFF board member, unveiled the Day Two workshop, Filming Fleurieu Country, scheduled for Sunday, February 4.

Led by Mark Koolmatrie of Kool Tours and featuring expert filmmaker tutors, the workshop will explore three Fleurieu Peninsula locations with special indigenous significance.

Participants will create short videos highlighting the region's natural landscape and living indigenous heritage. Bookings for the workshop can be made at the website.

Caroline Rowe, Fleurieu Film Festival board member.

In a demonstration of the festival's commitment to supporting emerging talent, Director Carolyn Corkindale presented award-winning young filmmaker Rizz Thomas with an Atomos Ninja2, a donation from industry veteran Michael Oakes.

Michael Oakes and Rizz Thomas