The 15th year of AGOG24 held at the James Theatre over the weekend of the 30 & 31 August, was a resounding success.

Starting at 5 pm on Friday 30th, the Opening Night Red Carpet Event, film goers dressed in a touch of French glamour and flair to enjoying a private Soirée.
Cinematographer, Peter Coleman was the WINNER of our LUCKY 15 prize. Peter won an AGOG Bundle worth $100*. “Félicitations et bravo, Peter!” He also was acknowledged as one of the best dressed.

The winners of the best dressed mademoiselles
1st Barbara and Anne of Wallarobba, looking very chic in complementary outfits and berets.
2nd Elizabeth Northam from Fosterton, in a gorgeous dress she borrowed from Jay Dillon.
Highly Commended was Cal Kelly, in a fabulous taffeta number that exudes joie de vivre.

The winners of the best dressed monsieur
1st Joe Mcnulty, sporting a snazzy orange striped top, with blue capris and matching beret. His impression of Marcel Marceau was a great crowd pleaser.
2nd and a very close second was Peter Coleman, who really got into the spirit of the evening in dapper three piece suit with cravat and un fume-cigarette. Peter kindly payed it forward with his prize, so that one of our walk in film attendees could enjoy a film free. Thanks for you kindness Peter.

With a diverse program of films this year, it was certainly a feast.

2024 program:

Friday Evening 30 August

5:00 – 6:30 pm 90m – Soirée d’Ouverture Red Carpet Event dress in French Chic

7:00 – 9.15 pm, 133m – LA CHIMERA (M) Italy/Switzerland/France Adventure/Romance

An enchanting romantic adventure, an ethereal spiritual journey and a ripping heist movie like no other, the captivating new fable of lost love from Alice Rohrwacher (Happy As Lazzaro, The Wonders) – the best received of her career to date – follows a young British archaeologist who gets caught up in an international network dealing in stolen Italian artefacts.

AGOG 24 Saturday Daytime 31 August

10:00 am – 11:30 pm, 81m FALLEN LEAVES (M) Finland, Romance/Comedy

Hailed as the best-reviewed film of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival
– where it topped Screen International’s prestigious critics’ poll
– the beguiling new comedic romance from celebrated auteur Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre, Drifting Clouds, The Other Side Of Hope) follows two lost souls who meet by chance in the Helsinki night and then try, in turbulent times, to find companionship.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 90m LUNCH BREAK Grab yourself a bite to eat from the feast of local eateries

1:00 – 3:00 pm, 107m SUBTRACTION (M) Iran, Thriller/Mystery

Farzaneh spots her husband, Jalal, entering an unknown woman’s house. When she confronts Jalal, he claims he wasn’t in town. Jalal decides to check out the house for himself and meets a woman named Bita, who is the spitting image of Farzaneh.

3:30 – 5:30 pm, 107m THE MONK AND THE GUN (PG) Bhutan, Drama

The latest charmer from Oscar-nominated Pawo Choyning Dorji is set in the weeks before Bhutan’s first democratic election in 2006. It’s a moment of upheaval in this highly religious state, a former monarchy, and trouble brews when an elderly monk purchases two guns…

Dorji’s (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom) Telluride-selected, delightfully droll and slyly satirical film takes place in rural Bhutan during the lead-up to his country’s first-ever election. A trial run with fictional parties is planned to introduce voters to the concept of democracy. But when a dedicated young monk is asked by his elderly lama to bring him two guns before voting begins, it seems trouble is in store. A cavalcade of characters and misadventures ensue, in a tale as suspenseful as it is winning.

Saturday Evening 31 August

5:45 – 7:15 pm, 90m DINNER BREAK Book directly with participating restaurants and enjoy a local feast

7:30 – 9:10 pm, 92m THE PRESIDENT’S WIFE (M) France, Comedy/Drama

One Chirac can hide another.

When she arrives at the Elysée, Bernadette Chirac expects to finally get the respect she deserves, as the woman who has always worked in the shadow of her husband so that he could become president. Set aside and judged for being too old-fashioned, Bernadette decides to make her mark by becoming an essential media figure.

Starring Catherine Deneuve, Denis Podalydès, Michel Vuillermoz, Sara Giraudeau, Laurent Stocker, François Vincentelli & Lionel Abelanski.

We hope you enjoyed AGOG24 as much as we did!
Click here to fill in the survey for your chance to win one of three double passes*

Survey closes at 5pm on the 30th September, don’t miss out on having your say.

Start planning your AGOG 25, 22 and 23 August 2025.
Book your accommodation, lock in your friends and prepare yourselves for world cinema at the James Theatre.

Thank you to our Volunteers!

There were over 30 volunteers who worked tirelessly to put AGOG on. On behalf of the Friends of the James Theatre, I would like to thank each and every one of them for their efforts.

Thanks to the film selection committee for producing a diverse and entertaining program of films.

Thank you to Libby Doolan and Jenny Akers who worked on Sponsorship.

Special thanks goes to our volunteer Soirèe coordinators Tara King and Cate Stewart, with the help of their partners, they put on an incredible spread for all to enjoy. Thank you to Jane Richens and Michael Kelly for helping create the atmosphere with additional lighting and projection.

Thanks to the projectionists coordinated by Janice Atkins.

Thanks to Lachlan and Mon for you social media posting.

Thanks to all the front of house and behind the scenes volunteers who helped in so many way.

A huge thank you to this year’s sponsors

Sponsors kindly help us fund AGOG. Each year we are able to do more as a result of their generosity. We encourage you to visit their businesses and support them, so they can keep supporting us.

Dungog by Design – Artisan collective gallery at 224 Dowling St

Inspired by Design – items for you and your home at 148 Dowling St

Tinshed Brewery – Locally made crafted ale and tasty gastro-pub grub at 109 Dowling St

Dungog Trading Post – Enjoy delicious Food & shop unique homewares at 234 Dowling St

Dungog Pizza – A family owned Restaurant serving great pizzas & more at 254-260 Dowling St

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