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VISIT

We welcome you to our Film Festival in beautiful Merimbula NSW Australia!

Bar Beach, Merimbula – a favourite spot to swim, surf, watch whales , grab a bite or make a film! Bar Beach kiosk  Photo credit: Lis Shelley

Program & Tickets

The festival includes film screenings of finalist film entries and a special non-competition screening, Q&A Panel with guest film makers, a networking and social event with drinks and food and our awards ceremony!

You can also read more about the 2024 films that are screening.

How do I book tickets?

We’ve made a few changes this year, so please read on…

  • All sessions can be booked individually, so you can choose to come to one, some or all!
  • There is no allocated seating, so if you make a new friend at morning tea, you can sit together at the next session. We do ask that you consider other patrons and not leave gaps if there is a crowd to be seated. Come early for the best seats.
  • If you require an accessible space for a wheelchair, or use another mobility device and need an aisle seat, please email info@thetwyford.com.au or call/text 0438957160 with your request to ensure availability, or see the box office staff when you arrive. Please note that mobility devices and prams must not block exit paths – your usher can help you to store items safely and retrieve them for you when you leave the session.
  • All sessions – including screenings – are at The Twyford at 16 Market St this year:
    • 4 x film screening sessions – prices range from $1o to $20 depending on when and how many tickets you buy (see below)
    • Networking Drinks event combined with a more casual Filmmakers’ Q&A – free to attend or pay $20 to include 1 hot or cold drink+finger food
    • Awards Ceremony – free to attend
    • Festival Celebration – continue partying with your new film festival friends – $20 to attend includes 1 hot or cold drink and food. Additional items may be purchased from the bar.
  • Earlybirds get 30% off your tickets
    The earlier you book, the less you pay! Jump online and buy your tickets by 10 August to automatically get 30% off your ticket price on checkout. After that you will pay the full session price for each event you attend.
  • Bring 3 friends and save
     Our Group 4 ticket is the best value ticket of them all – 4 tickets for $55. Buy a Group 4 ticket before 10 August and get the Earlybird discount as well – that’s less than $10 per ticket. Mad!
  • Last Minute
    Not sure you can come? You can book last-minute tickets (subject to availability) from The Twyford Box Office on the day of the Festival. We strongly recommend you book online well before the festival however, so you don’t miss out, AND it’s cheaper!
  • Film Finalists and Sponsors
    Receive one $100 gift certificate per sponsorship/film entry to spend on event sessions. This will be sent by email direct to the film submitter/sponsor. Enter and apply the gift certificate number on the Checkout when you purchase session tickets online.  You can of course purchase additional tickets for other crew, friends and family, as indicated above. The Awards Ceremony is free to attend but please purchase your free ticket(s) so we know you are coming!

Ticket Terms & Conditions

All pass and ticket sales are managed by Far South Film Inc and The Twyford through TryBooking. Tickets are non-refundable unless an event is cancelled by the organiser. Tickets may be transferred to a friend or family member for no higher cost than the original ticket (no “scalping”).

Where can I stay/eat?

Merimbula is an amazing holiday destination with a wide range of accommodation including holiday houses/apartments, motels, cabins, camping places, AirBNBs as well as great cafes, clubs and eateries and activities including whale watching waiting for you. Many accommodation places are within walking distance of our venues, some with a view over the ocean – you might even spot a whale or two from your balcony! The localities of Pambula, Pambula Beach, Tura Beach and Mirador are within 5-7 minutes’ drive from Merimbula.

Festival Accommodation Specials

Thank you to our sponsors and partners for 2024
We welcome sponsorship enquiries for our August festival each year – your chance to support our festival and have your brand noticed!

  • Albacore Apartments Festival attendees receive a 10% discount on stays for a minimum 2 nights over the festival weekend with a complimentary late checkout on the Sunday.
  • Pelican Motor Inn Festival attendees receive a 20% discount for patrons staying two nights or more during the festival weekend. Bookings must be made via their website using the promotion code: FARSOUTHFILM
  • Tween Waters Festival attendees receive 10% off their nightly rate.

Check out Merimbula Tourism for more accommodation, food and activity ideas…

How do I get there?

  • Merimbula is halfway between Sydney and Melbourne just off the A1 Princes Highway
  • Merimbula is 3 hours’ drive from Canberra via Cooma/Bemboka/Candelo/Wolumla.
  • Rex Airlines and Qantas fly into Merimbula Airport from Sydney and Melbourne. The flight takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
  • VLine train+coach services travel to Merimbula from Melbourne and eastern Victoria.
  • TrainLink train+coach services travel to Merimbula from Sydney and Canberra.
  • Premier Motor Service coaches travel between Sydney and Merimbula on the coastal route.

How do I get around?

Most things are within walking distance in Merimbula (map), but here are some other options for getting out and about – we recommend you book ahead.

What about COVID?

We monitor NSW Health for the latest advice to keep everyone safe. Check the COVID requirements closer to the event.

Steps to reduce your COVID risk

Cases of COVID-19 are still about in the community. To protect yourself and your loved ones:

  1. Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
  2. Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and get tested.
  3. Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places.
  4. Talk with your doctor now if you’re at higher risk of severe illness. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines.

Q&A Panels and Meet & Greet the Filmmakers

The Festival includes a Q&A with guest film makers. Find out more about the the films you’re seeing at the festival and ask questions! It’s combined with a Meet & Greet networking & social event with food and drinks available.

Recordings of our Q&A sessions and interviews from 2023 and earlier are now available online. Like our Facebook page to get updates.

Festival Awards

  • Award winners are selected by our judging panel are announced during our Awards Ceremony.
  • Winners will be announced on our website and our social media after the ceremony is over .
  • Winners are contacted individually to arrange their prize transfer.

People’s Choice Award

  • Audiences will be able to vote for their favourite film for the People’s Choice Award until midnight on 17 August 2024. Watch your email inbox for a link to submit your TWO favourite films. Votes must be received by the deadline stated to count. You can also choose to go in the draw for a free Festival T-Shirt when you vote and respond to our audience survey!
  • Please note that there are only 16 films in the competition; Soles is a non-competition entry and is not included in the People’s Choice Award.
  • The People’s Choice Award will be announced on 18 August 2024

Can I get a Festival T Shirt?

Sure can! Help support the festival by buying one of our exclusive T shirts any time or from our Festival Desk when you get here.