The wait is over – our Semester One 2015 programme begins tonight!
Be sure to join us in kicking off our new screening year at our free screening of THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES tonight at 7:30 PM. We'll be joined after the film by special guests Stephen Hunter (Bombur the Dwarf) and Ché Baker (the film’s on-set colourist) who will discuss their experiences working on one of the biggest trilogies of all time, as well as their new project currently being filmed in Canberra.
Doors will open for entry from 7 PM, but it looks set to be a pretty busy night, so make sure you come along early to secure your seat.
Our trusty canteen will be open before the film with snacks, drinks and popcorn on offer. And you can also pick up our brand new programme booklets and posters too. Don’t miss out!
And here’s the rest of our first week’s jam-packed line up:
• Thu 12 Feb @ 7:30 PM: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1
Reluctant hero Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself recruited by the rebels of District 13 to save the people of Panem from the repressive Capitol. Also starring Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Liam Hemsworth.
• Fri 13 Feb @ 7:30 PM: FURY + TUSK
In FURY, a battle-hardened Army sergeant (Brad Pitt) commands a tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines, facing overwhelming odds in their attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
Then, in TUSK (at approx. 9:45 PM), an internet radio personality travels to Canada to interview a mysterious seafarer, but soon discovers that his subject has horrific plans for him. Directed by Kevin Smith.
• Sat 14 Feb @ **7 PM**: BIG HERO 6 + OBVIOUS CHILD
In BIG HERO 6, a young robotics prodigy teams up with a plus-sized inflatable robot named Baymax and his friends to save the city of San Fransokyo from a devastating threat. Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature Film.
Then, in OBVIOUS CHILD (at approx. 9 PM), a young comedienne's unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time, beginning a hilarious journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
................................................................
THE HOBBIT ON MONDAY – FOLLOWED BY Q&A W/ SPECIAL GUESTS
................................................................
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll no doubt be aware that our new programme’s opening screening of THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES is next Monday (February 9) at 7:30 PM.
We’re now very excited to also announce that we’ll be joined at the screening by two very special guests: actor Stephen Hunter, who plays Bombur the dwarf, and the film’s on-set colourist, Ché Baker!
Stephen and Ché are in Canberra shooting a new film and will be joining us for a post-screening Q&A starting at approximately 10 PM.
So if you weren’t already planning on coming along and inviting everyone you know to our free screening of the final film in THE HOBBIT trilogy, now you really have no excuse. Be there and don’t miss out on this very special event!
................................................................
PRE-PURCHASE MEMBERSHIPS AND BEAT THE QUEUES!
................................................................
Our big day is only one week away and, if past years are anything to go by, the first few weeks will be incredibly busy and crowded. To avoid having to join the queues to sign up at the door, make sure you pre-purchase your memberships online to allow you to go straight through to our express pick-up lane.
Not only do you save on time by not having to fill out a form or bring along cash, your card will be pre-printed and pre-laminated for your convenience too.
Don’t wait any longer – head over to www.anufg.org.au/join and pre-purchase your membership now!
Here it is – we’re very proud to present to you our brand new programme for Semester One 2015!
Featuring over 80 films – from the latest Hollywood blockbusters, to acclaimed independent and foreign selections, including 20 (!) of this year’s Oscar nominated films – there’s bound to be something for everyone on our line-up.
You can view the programme in full right now on our website at HERE.
Alternatively, you can also download it in PDF format HERE or add the entire programme to your mobile device or computer in just one click HERE.
Please share it, spread the word, and start marking your calendars now. Screenings kick off in exactly three weeks on Monday 9 February with our free screening of THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES.
And for those of you who were holding off on pre-purchasing, you now no longer have any excuse. Skip the queues and have your membership card ready for pick-up at your first screening of 2015 by pre-purchasing online at www.anufg.org.au/join now!
1. From Wednesday 14 January, 2015 to Sunday 18 January, 2015 the ANU Film Group Inc. will be giving away one (1) free weekly pass per day.
2. The weekly pass will be valid for entry into all screening within seven (7) days from the date of redemption.
3. Prizes must be redeemed for use in person by the prize winner at any ANU Film Group screening by Saturday 21 February, 2015.
4. Weekly passes can be upgraded, at the prize winner's choosing, to full Annual or Semester memberships within two weeks of expiry for $10 off the full membership’s price.
5. Entries must take the form of an answer posted as a comment to the daily question post on the ANU Film Group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ANUFG
6. In the case of multiple correct answers, only one (1) winner will be picked at random. In the case of no correct answers, the prize will roll over to the following day's competition. Specific rules may apply for certain questions in regards to the determination of winners.
7. Only one entry per person per day for each competition is permitted. Entrants are limited to win only one prize for the duration of the competition.
8. Winners will be notified via an additional comment to the daily question post, as well as by private message. All reasonable efforts will be made to contact winners.
9. Any unclaimed prizes after Saturday 21 February, 2015 will be forfeited.
10. In the event of any disputes, the decision of the ANU Film Group's committee of management will be final.
.................................................................
WIN WEEKLY PASSES ON FACEBOOK
.................................................................
As you may have heard, we’ve been counting down to the reveal of our upcoming programme on Facebook with sneak peeks of some of the notable films on our Semester One 2015 line up. Today marks the halfway point of our countdown and, to kick off the last five days, we’ll be holding a series of giveaways.
Each day from today until Sunday 18 January, we’ll be giving away one free weekly pass to the ANU Film Group.
All you have to do to be in the running to win is to answer the daily question on our Facebook page. So if you haven’t already done so, be sure to like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ANUFG and check back in each day at noon for new questions!
The weekly passes will be valid for entry into all screenings within seven days from the date of redemption, and must be redeemed for use before Saturday 21 February. Weekly passes can also be upgraded to Annual or Semester memberships within two weeks of expiry for $10 off the full membership’s price.
.................................................................
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE ANU FILM GROUP
.................................................................
Do you have friends? Family? Social media followers? If so, we’d love it if you could spread the word to all of them about the upcoming release of our new programme and events like our free screening of THE HOBBIT on February 9.
As a not-for-profit society, the ANU Film Group operates purely on word of mouth to tell people about what we do. But we wouldn’t have been able to make it to 49 years of screenings without you.
So why not tell everyone you know about your favourite film society -- and Canberra’s best way to see movies -- and help fill our theatre with more movie lovers just like you. After all, movies are best seen with a great audience, and audiences don’t get better than at the Film Group!
For some inspiration, have a look at what one of our members did recently when she posted an article about us on Weekend Notes HERE.
Today marks exactly one month to the day until our Semester One 2015 programme kicks off. And what better film to start the year with than the conclusion of an epic saga 20 years in the making?
We're proud to announce that THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES will be our first screening on Monday 9 February at 7:30 PM.
Directed by Peter Jackson, the final film in THE HOBBIT trilogy picks up with the fate of Middle Earth hanging in the balance as the races of men, elves and dwarves join forces in an epic war against the evil Sauron, as well as the deadly dragon Smaug. Featuring an all-star cast including Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Entry will be FREE for everyone, so mark your calendars, spread the word and come along to say goodbye to Middle Earth -- and hello to a new year of ANU Film Group screenings!
Be sure also to join us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ANUFG where we’ve kickstarted a 10-day countdown to the full Semester One 2015 programme reveal on January 19, featuring sneak peeks at our exciting new line-up, giveaways and more!
.................................................................
SKIP THE QUEUES: PRE-PURCHASE YOUR MEMBERSHIPS NOW
.................................................................
Is a month still too long to wait? We feel your pain and have just the thing: memberships for 2015 are now available for pre-purchase!
Pre-purchase your membership and skip the start-of-year queues by simply picking up your ready-made card on your way in to your first screening of the year. Membership payments can be made via credit card, PayPal or direct bank transfer, so no cash is necessary. And best of all, you can purchase memberships as gifts for other people too.
To purchase your membership now, head over to www.anufg.org.au/join
On behalf of the ANU Film Group, we'd like wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a safe, relaxing holiday period!
Rest up, watch some movies, and we'll see you all in 2015 when we begin to reveal details of our upcoming Semester One programme, which kicks off in just six weeks.
Stuck for a last minute Christmas gift? Why not give the gift of a year's worth of movies at Australia's largest film society? Go to www.anufg.org.au/join to get in early and secure a membership for yourself or your loved ones now!
.................................................................
WANTED: ACCOUNTANT FOR 2015
.................................................................
Each year, we are required by our Constitution to have our accounts officially audited by an independent third party, in order for them to be presented for the record at our Annual General Meeting. We are currently on the lookout for a new accountant to assist us in auditing our 2014 accounts in preparation for our AGM in March 2015.
The person must be one of the following:
(a) a Chartered Accountant,
(b) a Certified Practising Accountant,
(c) a Company Auditor,
(d) a Registered Auditor, or
(e) a member of the National Institute of Accountants
If you are interested in helping us out, or know someone that might, we'd love for you to reach out to us with more information by dropping us a line at info@anufg.org.au. Thanks!
It's the end of an era as the final ever episode of At the Movies airs tonight!
For nearly 30 years, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton have offered their -- often opposing, but always passionate -- views on the week's cinematic offerings. They've long been a staple of the ANU Film Group too, with their indelible star ratings never failing to appear in our programme booklets.
We even held a David Stratton night in 2003, with David himself picking the film and making a personal appearance at the packed screening of director Fred Schepisi's LAST ORDERS. Their ratings also formed the basis of a fun heads-or-tails round at an Annual Trivia Night not too long ago, in which contestants had to guess whether David or Marg rated the film higher. Needless to say, it wasn't easy!
Please join us, and all moviegoers around the country, in bidding farewell to these two cultural icons when their final hour-long show airs TONIGHT at 9:30 PM on ABC.
.................................................................
ROTARY CLUB POLIO FUNDRAISER
.................................................................
For those of you who don’t know, our beloved canteen is run by the Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak, with all proceeds from any purchases made going towards various charitable initiatives.
On December 14, the Rotary Club will be hosting a charity fundraising baseball match in conjunction with the Canberra Calvary team from 10 AM at the Narrabundah Ballpark. Tickets are $12 each, with all money raised going towards eradicating polio worldwide.
Are you the next David or Marg? Do you love movies? Do you enjoy writing?
If so, we’re currently on the lookout for people keen to write reviews for our Semester One 2015 films. These reviews will feature in our 64-page informational booklet that members receive each semester, as well as on our website.
Reviews will need to be 200-250 words in length and must be completed over a period of two weeks in mid-December, so please only volunteer if you think you’ll have time over the holiday period to contribute.
Successful volunteers will be sent a list of films from which they can nominate the ones they’d like to write reviews for, and you’re welcome to write just one review or as many as you’d like.
Please also note that:
1. The ANU Film Group does not provide reviewers with tickets to, or a copy of, films that they have been assigned to review.
2. Some of the films we are seeking reviews/previews for have not been released yet, and some creativity/research may be required.
3. Unsolicited reviews will not be accepted.
So if you love movies or writing -- or both -- and are keen to contribute to the Film Group, be sure to write to us and let us know at info@anufg.org.au by MONDAY 8 DECEMBER!
It’s been nearly a week since screenings for 2014 ended… Miss us yet?
Everyone here at the ANU Film Group would like to thank our valued members and their invited guests for all of your support over the past year. It’s been a big one, with the installation of our new digital projector, a number of special event screenings, another hugely successful trivia night, and of course, plenty of great films throughout the year.
Screenings will resume in a few months’ time on February 9, 2015, and we’re already excitedly hard at work on our next programme, which we can't wait to share with you.
While our email updates will become less frequent over the summer, we’ll still continue to send out the occasional message with notices, competitions and, as soon as it’s ready, our new line-up for Semester One 2015. So keep in touch and keep an eye out on your email inbox as well as our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ANUFG) for the latest ANUFG news.
In the meantime, don’t forget that Annual and Semester One memberships for 2015 are now available for pre-purchase online at www.anufg.org.au/join. It’s never too early to join up and secure your membership for yourself, or for friends, family and loved ones as Christmas gifts!
...............................................................
WIN TICKETS TO ‘THE CAPTIVE’ + A ICON DVD PRIZE PACK!
...............................................................
Thanks to our friends at Dendy and Icon Films, we have tickets to give away to the upcoming thriller THE CAPTIVE, starring Ryan Reynolds and Rosario Dawson.
In the film, Reynolds plays a father who is still haunted by his young daughter’s disappearance eight years earlier under mysterious circumstances. Treated by the police as the prime suspect, he sets out to clear his name and save his strained marriage when new clues begin to surface that indicate she may still be alive.
THE CAPTIVE is in cinemas from December 4, and we have five in-season double passes to give away, as well as an Icon Films DVD pack that includes BURIED, EDGE OF DARKNESS, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and CRASH.
For your chance to win, simply email info@anufg.org.au with your name, membership number (located underneath the barcode on your card) and your answer to the following question: ‘Which film did you most enjoy at the ANU Film Group in 2014, and why?’
Entries close on Thursday 4 December at 12 noon. The best judged answer will win a double pass to THE CAPTIVE and the DVD pack, with the four runners-up winning a double pass each. Winners to be notified via email, and prizes to be collected from the Dendy Canberra Box Office.