Breath of Fresh Air festival to be held online

The Breath of Fresh Air film festival was scheduled to run over two weekends in May later this year but was cancelled after restrictions on mass gatherings increased.

Festival director Owen Tilbury said they, like many other organisations, were adapting to the changing circumstances.

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"We are in an interesting situation with film, in that most people have access to Netflix and Stan and various other streaming platforms,"

"We are in a situation where the technology exists and people are used to watching movies on their computer or smart TV.

"When the downturn happened ... we turned to our [sponsors] ... and said why don't we put this festival online."

People around Australia will be able to enjoy 20 movies courtesy of the festival between May 1 and 17.

Mr Tilbury said people will also have the option of joining Zoom calls on certain nights to discuss some of the movies.

"On each of the main days on the three weekends, Friday Saturday, Sunday, we will have a ... Zoom conversation where people can watch a particular movie and then they can Zoom into a particular site ... and they can talk to other people about that," he said.

"We are making the most of the virtual nature of the whole thing to have people not just sitting in dark zooms watching movies but to have a real sense that as a community of film lovers ... we can all jointly in these days of social isolation feel a sense of camaraderie and community."

He said he was proud of how the festival was able to adapt to comply with social distancing restrictions.

"I'm just very excited and proud that as a film festival that breath of fresh air concept has actually brought the isolated people together in an online context to enjoy community, to enjoy good stories and to have some fun," Mr Tilbury said.

A full list of movies showing during the festival will be available on the BOFA website from Sunday.

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