The Castlemaine Documentary Festival is turning 10 in 2024 and celebrated the anniversary milestone with a launch event at Boomtown Wines at The Mill, Castlemaine, last Thursday evening.
The crowd in attendance Thursday evening were welcomed to the celebration by CDOC board member Suzanne Donisthorpe who acknowledged they were meeting on Djaara Country and honoured the tradition of storytelling that goes back 60,000 years.
CDOC director Claire Jager said the evening aimed to celebrate 10 glorious years of CDOC and was a chance to celebrate all those who had contributed to the success of the grassroots festival over the last decade, reminisce about all the incredible stories, characters, issues and conversations enjoyed, and provide a sneak peek at the 2024 festival program.
The audience heard from a number of key supporting partners including Mount Alexander Shire Council arts officer Madeleine McClelland and Monash University head of media, film and journalism Shane Homan.
CDOC will return to the historic Theatre Royal for three big days and nights from Friday June 14 through to Sunday June 16 and will feature an opening night extravaganza with the rhythm and sounds of Castlemaine-based ensemble Brazazul who specialise in forró, a vibrant, joyful music and dance from north-eastern Brazil.
The performance will be followed by two short films celebrating regional culture and ingenuity, with the first screening featuring Castlemaine’s own Corker Orchestra, Mainsong and Brazazul, and then the first film of the weekend Winghanganha – an exhilarating cinematic journey by acclaimed Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money.
Another 10 incredible films will screen across the weekend. The event will also see the ever-popular LOCALS showcase return on Saturday June 15 from 5pm featuring a wide array of local short films celebrating local filmmaking talent, and The Yurt will also return to the Western Reserve providing an intimate viewing experience and featuring family-friendly short films Saturday and Sunday morning.
Tickets to CDOC 2024 are on sale now so be sure to grab yours and be part of the celebrations. Visit cdocff.com.au
