Imagine relaxing on a cool green lawn looking out over the ocean. You're enjoying a picnic, watching the sunset and listening to live music and then when darkness falls you settle back to enjoy an award-winning film. It might sound like the French Riviera, but it's happening right here in Perth at the second annual
Cottesloe Film Festival. Held over three weekends from 27 January, the Festival offers a mix of Australian and international cinema, live music, food and drink in the beautiful surrounds of the Cottesloe Civic Centre.

image: facebook.com/cottesloefilmfestival/
Proudly presented by
Cottesloe Films and
Buzz Productions and supported by the
Town of Cottesloe, the Festival aims to bring world-class films to the beachside location. Each showing is timed to allow guests to watch the sunset from the main lawn whilst enjoying a BYO picnic or delicious food from onsite food vans. The bar will be stocked with Forester Estate wines, Pirate Life beers, Aperol Spritz cocktails and a selection of soft drinks and juices. As well as providing excellent entertainment, the festival gives back to the community with $2 from every adult ticket donated to the
Cottesloe Coastcare Association.

image: facebook.com/cottesloefilmfestival/
The
program offers something for all tastes from prize winning foreign films to Australian family classics.
Saturday 27 January
I AM HEATH LEDGER (M)A feature-length documentary celebrating the life of Heath Ledger: actor, artist and icon. The documentary provides an intimate look at Heath Ledger through the lens of his own camera as he films and often performs in his own personal journey extravagant in gesture and in action.
Sunday January 28
PAPER PLANES (G)An imaginative film about a young Australian boy's passion for flight and his challenge to compete in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
Paper Planes is a thoughtful, spirited look at competition and perseverance.
Friday 2 February
THE ODYSSEY (PG)Jιrτme Salle's dazzling biopic will sweep you up as it follows the chaotic life of celebrity oceanographer Jacques Cousteau; one rich in accomplishments, yet teeming with turmoil. Through a dazzling array of global exploration locations, we undertake this lyrical journey almost as if a member of Cousteau's crew.
Saturday 3 February
SWINGING SAFARI (MA15)
A colourful satire of a typical Australian beachside neighbourhood in the height of a 1970s summer. The comedy captures the innocence of an era of careless parenting, constant sunburn and suggestive adult behaviour.
Swinging Safari offers a healthy dose of nostalgia and laugh out loud comedy.
Friday 9 February
PERFECT STRANGERS (M)
The multi award-winning new comedy of manners from Paolo Genovese is a fiendishly clever take on decorum in the age of modern technology, and poses the question: how well do we really know those close to us? Fairly bristling with of-the-moment talking points about the wonders and complications of modern technology,
Perfect Strangers was a box office sensation in Italy.
Saturday 10 February
THREE SUMMERS (M)
From internationally renowned writer-director Ben Elton comes an ensemble comedy that embraces the diversity of modern life. Fusing romance, music and Ben Elton's trademark wit and satirical edge,
Three Summers delivers an engaging folk tale of contemporary Australia.
Doors open at 5:30pm, with music and entertainment from 6pm. The film will start at 7:30pm. Check the
Facebook page for the latest news especially in case of inclement weather.
Tickets are on sale now at $15 concession (children/seniors) and $22 adults.
Advance purchase is recommended.
BYO picnic, rug or chair but NO ALCOHOL please.