In a series of first, the Phillip Island Movie Club is screening the 2023 film “Shayda” at the newly opened Berninneit centre in Cowes on November 8.
The film is also the first for the 2024 membership of the club.
The 2024 season begins on January 17, with 10-12 films scheduled throughout the year.
“However, the Bass Coast Shire Council has generously offered us two extra screenings this year, on November 8 and December 13,” explained club secretary Margaret Byrne.
The PIMC 2024 members will attend the new Cultural Centre Berninneit on Wednesday November 8 and the film will begin at 7pm. It runs for 117mins and is rated PG.
“Shayda” (2023) is a drama directed by Noora Niasari, who was born in Teran but raised in Australia, after coming here when she was six.
The story begins in 1995 with Iranian woman Shayda (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) and her six-year-old daughter Mona (Selina Zahednia) finding refuge in an Australian woman's shelter.
But her path to freedom is jeopardised when her estranged husband arrives. It is based on the unpublished memoirs of the writer-director's mother.
Cate Blanchett saw that potential in Niasari, coming on board as executive producer in 2021. Blanchett’s endorsement also gave other financiers confidence, which helped secure further funding which ensured the film would be made. As a result, this deeply personal yet universal story is going to have a truly international audience.
The film has been announced as Australia's official submission for Best International Film at next year's Academy Awards.
If you have paid and registered for your 2024 PIMC tickets you can collect them at the first film you attend.
Please note that you can only attend as a 2024 PIMC member if you present your membership ticket, otherwise you could attend as a fully paying member of the public. The 2023 membership tickets do not cover you for this film.
The next 2024 members film, “Past Lives” will be on Wednesday December 13.
The PIMC 2024 Calendar
A provisional schedule of PIMC screenings to be held on Wednesday evenings in 2024: January 17, February 14, March 6, March 27, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 31, September 4, October 23, November 6, December 11.
Screening time is 7pm for all films. Note these dates are subject to change given last minute programming considerations.
