The Italian Institte of Culture and Palace Cinemas premiere a selection of new feature films, opening with the Australian premiere of Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips). Other films include Il Cielo Cade (The Sky Will Fall), La Via Degli Angeli (Midsummer Night's Dance).
The festival also includes a Director's Restrospective section including the works of Pasolini, Bertolucci and Fellini. Short films directed/produced or staring Italian-Australians will also be shown.
Sydney: Palace Norton St Leichardt Nov 30 - Dec 10
Melbourne: Cinema Como South Yarra Dec 1 - Dec 10

A group of nice white cheerleaders trying for a championship discover they are using stolen moves from the non-white girls of a poor high school.

An overbearing father dreams of fame and fortune for his family, and forces his 15-year-old son into a competition to break the world record for door opening and closing. Meanwhile his young daughter befriends the lonely pigeon-fancier next door. Belgian film featured in the 2000 French Film Festival. B&W French-language. Directed by Benoit Mariage.

Prisoners in fear of their lives seek escape from the farm where they are held: from the makers of Wallace and Grommit (clay animation).

Highly recommended by the team at Premiere magazine, and part of the Silk Screen Collection, this is based on a series of novels published in Shanghai in the early 1920s. One story is about an aristocrat's daughter leading a double life as a notorious criminal, the other about China's most renowned warrior. Directed by Ang Lee, with michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat. Martial arts sequences choreographed by the same man as The Matrix. (M). official site

Part of Palace Cinema's Opera and Ballet Film Festival, which offers films at weekend matinee sessions (Cinema Como, South Yarra). Phone 9827 7533 for bookings.

A slice of life in suburban Melbourne: booze, bongs, and petty larceny.

Vibrant musical set in Gay Paree.

A group of explorers are on their way to start a station on Mars.

Part of Palace Cinema's Opera and Ballet Film Festival, which offers films at weekend matinee sessions (Cinema Como, South Yarra). Phone 9827 7533 for bookings.

A mountain climber withdraws from his sport and his family after the death of his father in a climbing accident. Three years later he has to take part in a mission to rescue his sister and a climbing group trapped on K2. Directed by Martin Campbell, with Chris O'Donnell, Scott Glenn, Robin Tunney and Bill Paxton. official site

A womanizing advertising executive has two problems -- a new female boss and an accident that results in his being able to hear what women are thinking.