The Tasmanian eco Film Fest has launched its 2015 festival program.
A creative initiative of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, TeFF will be staged on November 12 – 15 at
the iconic State Cinema in North Hobart. With a preview night on Wednesday Nov 11 co-hosted with
the Australian Institute of Architects –Hobart Branch for the Hobart Architecture Week.
The four-day program features inspiring, thought provoking and entertaining films, VIP guest speakers,
Eco Cafe Conversations and an Eco Panel Discussion with panelist like Chris Darwin (conservationist &
great great grandson of Charles Darwin).
Special events will be held around Hobart’s city center including a unique dining experience hosted by
Franklin restaurant with guest chef Luke Burgess and a silent art auction for an original painting by
2015 Glover Prize winner Nigel Hewitt.
Events will bring together industry experts, Tasmanian eco representatives, filmgoers, filmmakers and
VIP’s.
“TeFF is the first of its kind and Hobart is the perfect host for a festival merging culture and
ecological awareness,” festival Director Kyia Clayton said.
“The festival will showcase a program of films that speak to both a local and global audience, engage
the Tasmanian community in environmental issues and most of all entertain.” Kyia says “TeFF is a not
politically affiliated. We believe that love of nature and care of the environment needs to happen
regardless of political affiliation or religion. We all live on this amazing planet together and to thrive
and survive we need to work together, get along, have some fun while we do it!”
With film submissions from all over the world, TeFF will explore the diverse ways in which humans
interact with their natural environments. A diversity of environmental issues will engage audiences in
eco themes with a combination of short, feature length, documentary and narrative films.
Opening night features the Australian Screen Premiere of the feature film Chloe and Theo. Directed
by Ezna Sands and produced by Sir Richard Branson, the film stars Dakota Johnson, Mira Sorvino and
Theo Ikummaq. Chloe and Theo explores the story of an Inuit man (Theo) who travels to New York on
a mission to warn the world of the effects of climate change. Based on part true story (about Theo
who plays himself in the film), Chloe and Theo is a modern fable where the wisdom of a traditional
culture seeks to raise awareness in a disconnected modern world.
The program also incudes the feature length documentary thriller Containment, directed by Prof.
Peter Galison & Prof. Robb Moss. Containment takes its audience through an uneasy present and
imagined distant future. Travelling from the United States, Prof. Peter Galison and Prof. Robb Moss
from Harvard University will be introducing the film at the State Cinema on the night.
The festival also includes a special youth program and youth eco film competition to encourage
younger filmmakers and a Tasmanian Eco Short Doc competition and a Tasmanian Short Eco Doc
competition. The top three winners will be screened and first prize announced at the screening by
Roger Scholes.
“The festival’s innovative and entertaining program seeks to resonate with audiences, encouraging
conversation between industry leaders, film makers and the public,” Clayton said.
“TeFF promises to be a rich, engaging and entertaining festival.”
ADDITIONAL INFO
* Eco Café Conversations will be held on November 13 and 14 from 2-3pm
at Room for a Pony. Festival VIPS – David Ritter (CEO Greenpeace Australasia) & Ginger Mauney (global
wildlife filmmaker & board member Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia) will host conversations
environmental topics. More information on the TeFF website, @tassieff.com.
* The TeFF Eco Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A “All Roads Lead to Environment” on Sunday 15
November at 10.30am will be a highlight of the festival. Facilitated by Sara James and hosted by
Sustainable Living Tasmania, festival participants can join eco experts and industry leaders such as
Chris Darwin – Charles Darwin’s great, great grandson, Ray Dearlove – founder and director of the
Australian Rhino Project, David Ritter – CEO of Greenpeace Australasia and many more. This will be
broadcast live over the internet and is a free event.
* Room for a Pony café in North Hobart will host the TeFF Opening Night Cocktail Party. The event
will feature 40 Spotted Rare Tasmanian Gin cocktails, Bream Creek Cuvee and Devil’s Brewery Beer
and Cider on tap and live music from Madelena & Leo Creighton and a host of VIPS.
* An exciting LIVE art auction for an original painting by 2015 Glover Prize winner Nigel Hewitt will be
staged at the TeFF Closing Night Dinner. A chat with Tino Carnevale from ABC Gardening Australia
and viewing Nigel Hewitt’s exquisite painting made with wood ash from the natural bushfires will be
highlights. Commencing at 7pm at Core Collective, Old Mercury Building. Bidding is also accessible via
the TeFF website, tassieff.com.
* The TeFF Closing Night Dinner at Franklin restaurant with guest chef Luke Burgess will be a festival
highlight. Inspired by the Singhampton Project (the closing night film) this event will include a farmto-
table style dinner, Tasmanian wines by Stefano Lubiana, Frogmore Creek and Bream Creek, Two
Metre Tall beers and 40 Spotted Rare Tasmanian Gin cocktails. Special film screenings will be shown
on the night. All proceeds will go to TeFF 2016, the TeFF Film Tour around Tasmania and the
Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc.
* With 90% of the festival funded by sponsorship and in-kind donations, TeFF is made possible by
sponsors and industry supporters including Screen Tasmania, the State Cinema, 101.7 HOFM and first
class Airbnb accommodation sponsors like ArtHouse Salamanca, Altamont House, Lochroyan, West
Hobart Art House, Quayle Terrace & #thebarnTAS.
Website: tassieff.com
TeFF Director Kyia Clayton
