There's nothing quite like the magic of an outdoor cinematic experience. For the first weekend of February, the Mornington Peninsula is set to welcome back the crowd-favourite Peninsula Film Festival. We spoke to founder and director Steve Bastoni about what audiences can expect from the region-famous event.
Scheduled for the 3rd - 5th of February, the annual festival will host a trifecta of film-inspired experiences and events. On Saturday evening, the headline Short Film Festival will showcase up to 20 cutting-edge films from talented filmmakers. A judging panel of celebrity guests will decide the best of the best, with up to $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won.
For Steve, the 2023 lineup is one of the best programs. This paired with a return to the original home of the PFF at Village Green in Rosebud, which has quite sentimentally been like returning home.
Food trucks will serve plenty of delicious flavours on Saturday evening, alongside drinks from the bar. Musical acts will keep the vibrant atmosphere humming, including performances from talented locals.
Since 2011, the Peninsula Film Festival has been sharing stories with thousands of people. Now in its twelfth year, the festival invites friends, family and all those looking for a memorable night out to experience a diverse collection of films under the stars. As Steve rightly describes, laughing together, being scared together…it's infectious.
If there is one experience not to be missed for the final month of summer on the Mornington Peninsula, this would be it. It's a festival with a cinematic flair for the open air and a timeless event our region has the pleasure of hosting. For now, it's time for us to hush our voices and direct our eyes to the screen. The spectacle is about to begin.
For more information on the 2023 Peninsula Film Festival and to book tickets, click here.
Wanting to explore more of the Mornington Peninsula alongside the Peninsula Film Festival?
Looking for more unmissable things to do on the Mornington Peninsula? Keep the discoveries going below!
We’ve got all the tools to help in planning your next getaway to the region: