ABOUT US, The Darwin International Film Festival
ABOUT US
The Darwin Film Society
In 1964, a group of film buffs established the Darwin Film Society in Australia’s tropical North. The original purpose for DFS was to screen a broad range of films that were not available at other Darwin cinemas.
As a not-for-profit, the sustainability of DFS relies on the relentless care of its board of volunteers and its recognition by the wider community.
DFS’ main operations are the Deckchair Cinema, Flix in the Wet, and more recently launched the Darwin International Film Festival.
Deckchair Cinema opened its gates in 1994 to carry out DFS mission to the largest audience and has been screening a unique mix of Australian, family, foreign, popular and classic films every dry season ever since. The iconic outdoor cinema is both a local staple and a visitors’ must-do. Standing along the Arafura sea, “the Deckchair” offers stunning sunset views to its patrons before it’s dark enough to turn to the big screen!
Today the Darwin Film Society counts 9 committee members, employs 18 people (casual and permanent) and has an active and growing membership base of more than 1,500 people.
The DIFF Team
John Schier / Management Committee
The progression of DIFF amazes me as I have been associated since Day 1. In this time we have to thank several artistic directors, support from all the seven DFS managers, many volunteers and many committee(d) people who have all contributed to make this festival what it is today. I only dreamed we would have the support Screen NT (NT Gov) support of the industry and the many generous sponsors who have made this festival one we can all be proud of.
James Parker / DIFF Manager
It is a huge honour to manage the film festival. I've been involved with the Darwin Film Society over the last eight years, and the 2024 edition will be the third festival that I've managed. I'm incredibly proud of all of the work that the team have put in, with a great line up of films and special events this year. A huge thanks to the Management Committee and the Programming Committee, your passion and hard work have built this festival into a highlight of the Darwin Dry Season.
Neil Ludvigsen / Programming Committee
In 1968 two events made me take cinema seriously. Firstly, I saw a Catherine Deneuve double of Belle de Jour and Repulsion followed a couple of weeks later by a Japanese retrospective of Kurosawa films among which were Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood and Rashomon. I never again saw films as mere entertainment.
Caro Macdonald / Programming Committee
Caro is a filmmaker, visual artist and anthropologist working out of Darwin, with a deep and long-standing love of cinema. As a DIFF programmer Caro has a particular passion for the plethora of talent and films emerging from the Northern Australian and Southeast Asian regions.
Liz Keith / Programming Committee
Since going to see ‘Mary Poppins’ as a preschooler and being dragged out sobbing when told that I couldn’t stay indefinitely, I have been passionate about both movies and cinema-going. As well as being on the Darwin Film Society management committee I am thrilled to be a member of the programming committee for DIFF, and love working with the team to bring intriguing films from around the globe to the big screen in Darwin. In my other life I have a background in law, social work and dispute resolution, and am also a writer with my first children’s book on the way. It is a delight and privilege to help choose films for DIFF, and I hope that audiences enjoy this program immensely.
Markus Tumuls / Programming Committee
It was great to be asked again to be on the programming committee for DIFF!
As part of a talented team behind this year’s festival I hope people enjoy the breadth of films on offer and to give people a taste of cinema that they would normally not experience. So make sure you bring your friends and family, put the phone down, enjoy the sunset and embrace a shared experience under the stars.