BECAUSE of the unprecedented weather patterns caused by La Niña, Screenwave International Film Festival (SWIFF)’s Storyland outdoor music event has been postponed.

This postponement does not affect the other 99 percent of screenings and events happening at SWIFF’22, which will continue as planned from April 21 to May 6.

La Niña, the weather pattern causing the Northern NSW Flood Crisis, has impacted Coffs Harbour, including Storyland’s event site, as well as several of the artist team and crew who have been personally and directly impacted by flooding in Northern NSW.

After seeing many festivals cancelled late over the last two years, and the heartbreaking impact that has had on everyone involved, the SWIFF team have made the responsible but very difficult decision to postpone now, before festival goers travel from around Australia, before trucks are packed with equipment, before food vendors purchase their produce, and before artists and crew travel to Coffs Harbour.

All ticket holders are asked to please continue supporting live music, and SWIFF’s vision to bring Storyland to the Coffs Harbour community, by holding on to their tickets until the new date is announced.
If patrons do need a refund, please contact the festival directly.

Festival Director David Horsley said, “With our aim to make this an ongoing, annual, and fantastic celebration of music and arts, largely locally produced for our Coffs Harbour community and visitors, this decision is about being responsible for the jobs our team depend on, being able to produce a quality, ambitious, and ongoing event that our community deserves. It’s critical that we get the first year right.”

A new date for Storyland will be announced soon, which will sit outside the SWIFF’22 festival dates.

The full sixteen-day SWIFF’22 indoor film and special events line-up will continue to go ahead as planned from April 21 to May 6, bringing over 130 sessions and exclusive events to the Coffs Harbour region.

 

By Andrew VIVIAN