Transitions Film Festival 2020

An unprecedented bushfire season. Wild weather. A world in a state of lockdown over the coronavirus. The start to the roaring 20s is truly a baptism of fire. Alarmists forecast that this is the beginning of the end, while optimists are gathering in political rallies determined to find a solution. Now in its 9th year, the Transitions Film Festival presents a vision for a better future through its inspiring and thought-provoking films.

Kicking off from Thursday, 20 February to Friday, 6 March, this year’s blockbuster programme is one of their best, exploring themes such as the climate crisis, technological innovation, health and wellness, and artificial intelligence (AI). The hand-selected local and international docos each aim to educate and empower audiences – and at the very least, the content in the films will become great pub fodder.

Here is Milk Bar’s must-see list:

Almost Human 

‘What is a robot?’ asks a human. ‘What is a human?’ replies a robot. Narrated by Stephen Fry, Almost Human is a haunting, deep and captivating documentary that explores our curiosity (some could say fetish) with AI. Award-winning Danish director Jeppe Rønde enlists ten world-leading scientists who embark on a spectacular journey to discover what humanity is now, and what it could potentially be.

The Great Green Wall 

Festival opener The Great Green Wall will undoubtedly enchant audiences as executive producer Fernando Meirelles and Malian musician–activist Inna Modja traipse Africa’s great green wall. If you haven’t heard of it, fear not, it is an ambitious restoration plan. The doco conveys how an 8000 km ‘wall of trees’, stretching across the width of Africa, will hopefully combat desertification, drought, conflict and en masse migration.

Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet 

Uniform currency is the bedrock for nations or political union. It is a capitalist’s sweet nectar. In Cryptopia, filmmaker Torsten Hoffmann explores one of the most disruptive technologies of our time: Bitcoin. The doco sets out to understand the blockchain industry, and how it can provide a blueprint for a better and fairer internet. Expect to watch some of the ‘big brains and big egos’ tout big ideas of a new cyber utopia. Or, in other words, a hacker’s, hipster’s and hustler’s sweet nectar.

Magic Medicine 

Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a ground-breaking approach to treat depression. In Magic Medicine, filmmaker Monty Wates collects testimonies from three participants undergoing the first-ever medical trial. Expect to watch extremely personal and moving testimonies of their ‘trips’, as well as their exhausting battle with depression.

Convoy 

Convoy, presented by the Bob Brown Foundation, is a special behind-the-public-eye look at former Greens leader Bob Brown and his plight to prevent the development of the Adani Carmichael coal mine. Directed by Matthew Newton, the film takes you on a powerful, 3500 km journey across Australia, where you will witness all aspects of peaceful protesting, and the communities that are devoted to give the next generation a better future.

In the spirit of being mindful and spreading joy, Milk Bar and the good folks at Transitions Film Festival invite you to go in the draw to win free tickets to see Convoy. Simply visit transitionsfilmfestival.com/win, enter your details and the code ‘CONVOYMILK’ and answer why you’d like to see the film.

Is there much hope for our future? Transitions Film Festival says yes.

Transitions Film Festival 2020
Thursday, 20 February to Friday, 6 March 2020
transitionsfilmfestival.com