Reel to Real – The Sydney Buddhist Film Festival 2010

Film Festival announcement- 
WOMEN IN BUDDHISM:

Due to very strong audience response to Buddhist nun, Tenzin Palmo, highlight guest of this year's Mitra Conference 'Buddhism Unplugged', and the controversy surrounding the recent ordination in Perth of six Theravadan nuns, 'MEDITATE AND DESTROY!' will be replaced in the final session of the night by the stunning film, 'CAVE IN THE SNOW', documenting Tenzin Palmo's 12 years meditating in a Tibetan cave and her fight for the rights of women to proceed to full Buddhist ordination.  Ven Sujato, a Forest monk who has spoken and written in defence of the restoration of full ordination for nuns, will join Susan and the audience in conversation after the film to discuss issues of the rights of women in Buddhism.

See the first two sessions of brilliant International and Australian shorts for the price of one, if you quote 'TWO-FOR-ONE' at the box office on the day.

Fine films and conversation about film and Buddhism with a focus this year on deep and dazzling Buddhist-inspired documentaries.  In conversation with filmmaker & Zen Roshi Dr Susan Murphy, Master Chef Kylie Kwong, & Tibetan nun Thubten Chokyi from Liberation Prison Project. This year also has an emphasis on creative shorts with a Buddhist focus, from Australia and all over the world, as well as three superb documentaries each accompanied by guest speakers in conversation with Festival director, Zen Roshi, Dr Susan Murphy.

Where: Sydney University Footbridge Theatre, Parramatta Road, Glebe

When: Saturday May 15, 2010

Student, seniors’ and health-card concessions are available as well as Four-Session and Season passes which offer excellent value. BUY NOW!

Tickets are available online until 14 May, then at the door.  However, we advise you buy tickets early – so that you don’t have to wait to buy tickets at the door.

Session One showcases some of the finalists of the 2009 international Buddhist short film competition organised by the Light of Asia Foundation in Sri Lanka and two international films provided by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India
Click here for Session One programme.

Session Two presents Australian finalists of the Reel to Real Short Film Competition, on the theme for this year - 'It's Not About Me' -and you are invited to vote for The People's Choice Award, to be presented at the end of the session.
Click here for Session Two programme

Afternoon and evening sessions will be introduced by Zen Roshi, Dr Susan Murphy, the founding teacher for Zen Open Circle, who is also a film scholar and feature film director, and will be followed by audience discussion with several distinguished guests from the Buddhist community.  These screenings offer a feast of international and local shorts in every genre, inspired in some way by the great questions of Buddhism.  All sessions will be supported by program notes available at the door and via email after the festival.