EAGLEHAWK is set to host the biggest film festival Bendigo has ever seen, according to festival founder Martin Myles.
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The Eaglehawk Film Festival will be presented by Star Cinema across eight days in January next year and it's something Martin has been working towards for more than five years.
"It is something I have been chipping away at when time has permitted. Obviously two years of COVID hasn't helped but (the festival) was in an embryonic stage for many years."
The inaugural iteration of the festival will have the theme of gold - something that suits central Victoria.
"We discovered about six or 12 months ago that a film in production in South Australia with Zac Efron starring was called Gold. That was the topic we had decided to focus on for first festival." Martin said.
"With (Gold) due to be released in January, we decided to launch the festival when it coincides. That dictated our timing and we will be screening the film from day after it is released in cinemas."
The festival founder said gold had been a popular title and plot point for countless films since the 1930s.
"We choose gold as a theme because being in a Goldfields region and town, it was an obvious place to kick it off from," he said.
"But gold is a very pervasive theme in film. It is such a sought after thing.
"We went through the film archives see what's out there and there is a surprising number of films titled Gold.
"There are films about the gold rush, sporting pieces, a documentary and an Irish comedy."
With the help of his colleague Hannah Morton, Martin has selected a series of films that revolve around the theme of gold.
"There is something from 1930s right through to today. We are screening 10 films in total with the feature film being the new release," he said.
"I have had enormous help from Hannah, who has procured the rights to screen these films and has been coming up with online content.
"We feel this (festival) is right on brand for Bendigo. It is part of the arts and culture mission that the city is focusing on and we think it is a very important festival for the region."
The Eaglehawk Film Festival is on from January 14 to 21. For more details or to book tickets visit eaglehawkfilmfestival.com
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