TONIGHT, the Coffs Coast’s Screenwave International Film Festival (SWIFF) will release its 2021 festival line-up at the SWIFF’21 Preview Gala.

The festival runs from April 14-29 and the full schedule of films, performances, guests, and special events are now available to peruse and book online.

SWIFF, presented by Sawtell-based boutique furniture maker Ashton Designs, became the most highly attended film festival in regional Australia with 10,000 attendees last year and with most weekend sessions selling out.

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This year, presales are already more than 250% on the previous festival, which organisers attribute both to the festival maturing and to the dearth of cultural experiences due to COVID-19.

“We moved SWIFF to April this year in the hopes of Australia’s COVID situation improving, which it now has,” said Festival Director Dave Horsley.

“With the NSW State Government announcing it safe for cinemas to return to 100% capacity last Friday, we are thrilled the festival will be enjoyed the way it is intended, alive and humming,” he continued.

The 2021 festival will host a record 120 different sessions, including screenings, performances, wine dinners, industry events, music performances, and the Nextwave Youth Film Awards.

There will be over 60 different feature films in the program, spanning 30 different countries – another new record.

SWIFF’21 will be hosted at the Jetty Memorial Theatre and at the 350-capacity CHEC Theatre at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus thanks to the support of TAFE NSW, Coffs Harbour Senior College, and Southern Cross University.

Presale passes are currently available until late Sunday night before reverting to full price and can be found with the program at www.swiff.com.au.

By Andrew VIVIAN