Far South Film, in association with Torchlight Media and the The Picture Show Man, is delighted to announce a special screening of the feature documentary THE CARNIVAL in Merimbula on 5 February at The Picture Show Man Cinema.

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The Bell family haul their convoy of 30 trucks, carnival rides and their workers across Australia, where they face the elements, lockdowns and bushfires – all while battling to keep their family empire on the road. This colourful, multi-generational family drama explores the nostalgia of the carnival, but underneath is a darker side: one of huge expectations, rivalries and a dominant patriarchy.

Filmed over the course of seven years by award winning Director and Far South Film Member, Isabel Darling, it captures the most intimate moments with the Bells. THE CARNIVAL is an epic road-trip with a family in crisis, battling an unstable economy and the changes of modern times. Set against the bush and outback desert landscapes, this is Australia like you’ve never seen it before.

This special screening will be the first of Far South Film’s program of seasonal screenings throughout 2024. This summer screening will be the first of Far South Film’s program of screenings for 2024, leading up to the Far South Film Festival on 17 August. Screenings will re-introduce an audience favourite – shorts before the feature. The shorts chosen will be from regional filmmakers.

The Carnival premiered in 2023 at the Sydney Film Festival and then screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF.) In The Monthly Harry Windsor praised “The best Australian films at the Festival (MIFF) were two documentaries: The Hidden Spring, directed by the ABC’s Jason Di Rosso, and The Carnival, directed by Isabel Darling.”

Jenny Valentish of The Guardian interviewed second son Roy Bell who told her that the whole family was “taken aback” when they watched a screening of the film together in Bondi.

“We just thought there was some sheila following us around for seven years shooting stupid videos of us and interviewing us,” he says. “But it was pretty amazing. This film will be good because I’ve always wanted to break the stereotype Australia has of dirty carnies. We’re normal people. I probably work harder than most of the people that badmouth us.”

Don’t miss this special screening of The Carnival by Eurobodalla filmmakers Isabel Darling and Tom Zubrycki.

Doors Open – 6pm

Intro & short film screening – 6:20pm

Feature, The Carnival, Unclassified 15+ (language) – 6:30pm

Q&A with Director Isabel Darling, Tom Zubrycki & Elwyn Bell – 8:00pm