The Big Screen Festival hit Bathurst, 4-10 August.

You can scroll down to read Pete Castaldi's tour blog from Bathurst.

Director Craig Monahan attended opening night for a gala screening of his film Peaches, starring Hugo Weaving and Jacqueline McKenzie, plus the Oscar-nominated short animation Birthday Boy. Peaches is a tender, passionate portrayal of intertwined love stories.

Other highlights of the Bathurst festival were:

• a 50th anniversary screening of the restored print of Jedda + a documentary on the central actor Rosalie's life
• a Bub's Club screening of Hildegarde by local producer David Hannay
• free screenings for kids of Hildegarde and Jedda
• Samuel Johnson (star of Secret Life of Us) in The Illustrated Family Doctor and Jacqueline McKenzie in Paul Cox's Human Touch
• + Paul McDermott's (ex Doug Anthony All Stars and now manic host of ABC TV's Strictly Dancing) first short film The Scree.
  
  Please send us your feedback on the festival. We're keen to hear what audiences think, including suggestions for next year.
  
  Big Screen Bathurst Festival attendees have the chance to vote in the 2005 if Awards - the popular choice awards run by if (Inside Film) magazine. Check the Inside Film link below for details.