The Bentley Effect hits the big screen

In dark times courage is born… sometimes in a cow paddock The Bentley Effect is a poignant, personal and powerful feature documentary chronicling the rise of the social movement against unconventional gas mining in the Northern Rivers region of Australia - and it will be hitting our cinema screens next month.Five and a half years in the making, the film tells the story of our community’s heroic stand and shows how strategic direct action and peaceful protest can overcome corporate malfeasance and political might. Selected to hold its World Premiere screening at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, The Bentley Effect has taken the highly sought after gala closing night spot on 22^nd October.The film is a sweeping tale following the journey of protectors from when they first hear news of coal seam gas through to the protests at Glenugie, Doubtful Creek and culminating in the Bentley Blockade. As the tagline - In dark times courage is born… sometimes in a cow paddock - suggests, the film is dotted with moments of humour to lighten more poignant and powerful moments as the film’s main characters journey through the highs and lows of the battle to save the Northern Rivers.When asked about the experience of making the film, Shoebridge says: “Documenting a social movement means lots of footage and lots of stakeholders. It is an extremely complex issue so this film has to work on so many levels.”“Our greatest challenge with making The Bentley Effect was that from the very beginning this project was on an enormous scale - something big was happening every month. A social movement itself inherently involves hundreds of events and a cast of thousands. By the end of the Bentley blockade, with the help of some great local camera folk, I had amassed an ocean of footage and felt like I was just dog paddling through a 40TB sea of data.”  “I’m hoping it will have an effect – that it captures the magic of this amazing local story and preserves it well”, says Brendan. “If the film demonstrates what can be done when committed and passionate people band together and if it leaves audiences asking the question ‘what is truly valuable?’ – then it’s job done.”Ticket holders to the Byron Bay Film Festival Gala night will walk the red carpet beside film directors and Australian film dignitaries, and will be treated to delectable food and hand selected wines. Be quick though, tickets are limited. They can be purchased from bbff.com.auOfficial film launches will also be held in venues around the Northern Rivers, beginning with Lismore on October 29^th at BCC Lismore and at the Nimbin Bush Theatre on November 4^th. At each of the launches you will have the chance to chat to the Director of the film, Brendan Shoebridge. STATS

• The Bentley Effect has been 5 years in the making.
• It involved a massive 48 TB worth of footage.
• Brendan alone clocked up 260 separate shoot days – the equivalent of shooting for a whole year fulltime
• So far it has been 100{2d21a4a9683bc94918ce162a303f79ec6279346f8d3ed98fae4e2de9d77bf083} funded by the community and philanthropy.
• It has been made with LOVE by community for community.

 The Bentley Effect film is pending classification.Film Launches:Byron Bay International Film Festival – October 22^ndLismore Birch Carol Coyle Cinema - October 29^thNimbin Bush Theatre - November 4^th. For Media Enquiries contact:Brendan ShoebridgeDirector | ProducerThe Bentley EffectM: 0421 514 823E:  brendan@smilingdragonfly.com