Redgum Singer to stir the troops for the opening of the Veterans Film Festival in Sydney tomorrow.

Redgum lead singer John Schumann AM will reprise his hit “I Was Only 19” to raise the curtain at the Opening Night of the Veterans Film Festival in Sydney this Thursday, November 3 in the presence of Festival Patrons, their Excellencies, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs Linda Hurley.

The film and party night will also feature the Radioettes, the Andrews Sisters tribute group following the Australian Premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ Causeway, starring and produced by Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

Thursday, November 3 – 6.15pm – 7pm @ Hoyts, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

Festival Chair and Chief Executive Warwick Young OAM, and actor and filmmaker who is also an Iraq veteran said the entertainment was an appropriate scene setter for a Festival that will explore through film the many diverse experiences of military serving personnel and their families.

  • Highlights include:
    Transfusion starring Sam Worthington, Phoebe Tonkin and Matt Nable on Friday Nov 4 with a Q&A with actor Edward Carmody and producer Michael Schwarz from the film.
  • The Healing documentary from Nick Barkla on Saturday, Nov 5th, including filmmaker Q&A.
  • The Ace and the Scout from Canada on Saturday Nov 5th
  • War Trap from France on Saturday Nov 5th
  • The Skin of Others featuring Balang Tom E. Lewis in his final performance as soldier Douglas Grant and guest appearances by Max Cullen and Archie Roach on Sunday, Nov 6th.
  • Where is Anne Frank? award-winning animation by Ari Folman on Sunday Nov 6th.

Directing legend Bruce Beresford heads a jury judging all the films for the prestigious Red Poppy Awards that will be presented on Sunday night following a Master Class by Beresford. A Retrospective of his films Breaker Morant, Paradise Road and Ladies in Black will also show over the weekend as will Bill Bennett’s A Street To Die including a Q&A with its star Chris Haywood.

Tickets are now on sale for the four-day program at Hoyts and The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

About Veterans Film Festival

The Veterans Film Festival aims to be Australia’s premier international film festival devoted to screening films about, for and by veterans, with sidebar events such as masterclasses, Q&As, workshops, art exhibitions and performances.

Through the new Screen Warriors program, the Veterans Film Festival will provide skills training, placement opportunities, scholarships as well as project development within the screen industry. By these means, it will broaden the diversity and inclusiveness of the Australian screen industry, whilst simultaneously supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their families.

Their Excellencies General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs Linda Hurley are VFF Patrons.