Editor

Video Junkee 2017, a new festival for creators and lovers of video, kicks off this week (July 28 – 29) with a full program of events, talks and screenings taking over Sydney’s Carriageworks, Dendy Newtown and Golden Age Cinema.

The Festival has a range of exclusive screening events to excite lovers of video.

Don’t miss a screening of This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, which portrays the intimate journey of Gigi Lazzarato, a fearless young woman who began life as Gregory, posting beauty and fashion videos to YouTube only to later come out as a transgender female to an audience of millions. Presented by YouTube Red Originals, the film provides a raw and revealing look into a life that never compromises happiness, and spotlights a family's unwavering and unconditional love for a child.

Arguably one of the biggest success stories of 2014, Wyrmwood crowdfunded its way into cinemas and reintroduced the world to the classic Aussie horror flick. Now a cult film with a TV series in the works, the film is getting a special Festival screening at Dendy Newtown: book tickets now to enjoy all the blood and guts.

Sit back, cuddle a purring puss and relax in the Festival’s very own cat café at Carriageworks. Here, YouTube Red presents the documentary, Kedi, a “cat’s eye” journey through the winding streets of Istanbul, where street cats have become an essential part of the fabric of the city.

Foxtel present a screening of their soon-to-be-released film Australia Day. Iconic actor Bryan Brown leads a stellar cast, directed by acclaimed film and television director Kriv Stenders in this film that exposes intolerance and prejudice across the spectrum of Australian society. Catch Australia Day at Dendy Newtown.

Settle in for a night of laughs at Golden Age Cinema, which is presenting a special Comedians Talking Over Movies screening for Video Junkee 2017. Funny fellas Kyran Wheatley and Rhys Nicholson will join forces with hilarious sisters Hannah Reily and Eliza Reily to provide humorous musings on the animated classic Space Jam, live, on-stage, as it plays before the audience.

Golden Age screenings continue with two riveting nights of programming thanks to ABC iview. Catch The Edge of the Bush by comedian Anne Edmonds, who plays multiple, multigenerational members of the same estranged family. Plus, don’t miss The Glass Bedroom, a six-part series profiling six Australian artists who use Instagram to create bold new works to share with their thousands of followers. Plus, you can hobnob with the creative geniuses themselves: they’ll be in attendance at the screenings.

And SBS On Demand will present a Mystery Screening at Carriageworks. As the Australian home of The Handmaid’s Tale, Vikings and Midnight Sun, SBS On Demand has a growing reputation for its premium global offerings. Get a sneak peek at their next must-see titles, the only catch is you won’t know the line-up until the day of.

If you’re a lover, a creator or a consumer of video then head along to Video Junkee 2017 in Sydney to hear from the leaders in video and get a glimpse of what and who Australia are watching in 2017.

Screening Tickets (from $12) and General Tickets ($19) are on sale now with Limited Multi-Pass Tickets ($89-$199) also available, giving attendees priority access to keynotes, talks, sessions, screenings and more.

Video Junkee 2017 is created by Junkee Media and presented with the support of Strategic Sponsor Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, key partner Carriageworks, Dendy Cinemas with screenings at Dendy Newtown, and major media partner oOh!media, who are supporting the festival with an extensive out-of-home campaign.

Video Junkee 2017 takes place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July in Sydney. For more information, visit www.videojunkee2017.com

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