Big Screen Australian Film Festival has been touring to Far North Queensland since 2001 and you can celebrate its 10th year of touring at Babinda's delightful Munro Picture Theatre, see a film under the stars at Cairns Botanic Gardens or enjoy a free screening at Tully.

The festival opens with the comedy Cane Toads: The Conquest at the historic Munro Picture Theatre at Babinda tonight. Screening in 3D, this will be a feast for the eyes showing on the largest screen in North Queensland. Opening night tickets include drinks and nibbles from 6.30pm and screening at 7pm.

Cane Toads: The Conquest is a funny, playful film starring many real-life locals including Tip Byrne, ex‑Tully mayor who laments the day his father released the toads on their cane farm; Keith Barns, retired police officer turned cane toad hunter at Gordonvale; Terry Selwood, the Cairns toad taxidermist; and Monica Kraus, Queensland toddler who serenades her immense, beer-bellied pet toad, Dairy Queen.

Track the journey of the 102 toads released in 1935 at Mulgrave River, until the current day with toads hopping 2424km across Australia to Kununurra in Western Australia, all 1.5 billion of them.

This Saturday from 6pm, head to Cairns Botanic Gardens for a screening under the stars of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.

From Australia’s leading animators, this big budget film is screening especially for the school holidays.

It will be accompanied by a once-only chance to see Life in Australia: Cairns with great 1960s fashion, shiny new FJ Holdens and more.

It was made in the ’60s to entice people to migrate to Australia. You may even see your old house, or someone you know.

The festival winds up on Saturday, October 8, with Cane Toads: The Conquest screening in 2D at the new Tully State High School Multipurpose Centre.

This will be accompanied by Cane Cutters, a fascinating view of the lives of cane cutters.

Doors open at 6pm, films start at 7pm, BYO picnic and enjoy this free event supported by Red Cross Australia and End Credits Film Club.

>> Click here for your chance to win tickets to Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga'Hoole

VENUES & TICKETS

BABINDA: Tonight at the Munro Picture Theatre, 97–101 Munro St. No ticket pre‑sales. Tickets: $7 includes wine and cheese before the screening, plus $3 for reusable 3D glasses.

CAIRNS: This Saturday at the Botanic Gardens, cnr Collins Ave and MacDonnell St, Edge Hill. Tickets: On sale at the gate, $10/$8 End Credits members.

TULLY: Next Saturday at Tully State High School Multipurpose Centre, Tully High School, Bruce Highway. Free event.

>> For session details go to nfsa.gov.au/bigscreen

Share this article