With the best line-up of international films yet, this year’s International Film Festival at CQU Mackay offered a fabulous weekend's viewing.

People came to Mackay from as far away as Airlie Beach so they could attend the Festival and, according to Pauline McNee, Mackay Campus Library Manager who assisted with organising the event, “we even had some people who were just passing through Mackay call in and view the Sunday afternoon sessions".

Phillip Manser, a ‘Friend of the Con’ and CQU Library Society member was part of the organising committee for the Festival and was thrilled with this year’s event.

“It was definitely the most successful festival so far,” he said. “We had many people come along who had never heard of the CQU Library Society and who will now be joining up to attend all of next year’s events”.

People who attended the Saturday evening event were treated to a candlelit supper in the courtyard, with the smooth vocal sounds of Tara Hanrahan for entertainment. Tara, who has just completed her first year of study at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music performed 5 songs unaccompanied, much to the delight of the crowd.

According to Phillip, “Tara’s performance was very well received and the perfect way to set the scene for the movie which followed".

Saturday evening’s showing of 'Les Choristes', a French film with subtitles, attracted a lot of music lovers and was very enjoyable.

The most popular sessions and highest attendances however, were on Sunday afternoon when people took time out to visit the CQU campus and enjoy an afternoon of relaxed viewing.

'Stage Beauty' was very well received with an excellent cast, and over 75 people attended 'Weeping Camel', a documentary style film set in the Gobi Desert.

“It was just wonderful,” said Pauline. “I was surprised at how enthralled I became during this film, which was very heart rending at times".

The Festival finished on a high note with some good Aussie humour in 'A Man’s Gotta Do'.

The Mackay International Film Festival has been held annually for the past 4 years at CQU Mackay and continues to increase in popularity.

To find out more about this year’s festival or to become a CQU Library Society member, please contact the CQU Mackay library on 4940 7536 during business hours.