The Sydney Film Festival has now revealed their brilliant line up for 2008. Below are a few highlights as chosen by GenerationQ to check out during the festival.

Ballast

June 12^th 7:15pm State Theatre

June 15^th 2:00pm State Theatre

This intense family drama looks at the aftermath when Lawrence finds his brother dead of a drug overdose. Leaving behind a young child Lawrence finds himself drawn to a past that he was trying to escape.

Boy A

June 19^th 9:15pm Dendy Opera Quays

June 20^th 5:35pm Dendy Opera Quays

This powerful British film looks at the release of a young man from jail. His struggle to reclaim his place in the real world is what this film is about. Trying to escape from his past and his horrific crimes that he committed years earlier could be the hardest task.

Choke

June 6^th 9:10pm State Theatre

June 8^th 5:45pm GU George St.

Sam Rockwell is sensational as med-school dropout Victor Mancini who spends his days working at New England theme-park and his nights attending meetings for sex-addicts or staging fake choking episodes in restaurants to benefit from the expansive generosity of the middleclass saviours who rescue him. Most of Mancini's funds are designated to pay for the care of his mother (Angelica Huston) a paranoid criminal who spent most of her life on the run and has ended up in a hospice for the insane.

The Class

June 13^th 4:30pm GU George St.

June 14^th 2:15pm GU George St.

A serious look at bullying in high school and the outcomes that the victims must endure. Sixteen-year-old Joosep has been picked on all his life, but when newcomer Kaspar intervenes, he finally thinks he can stop it. After the two join forces the rest of the class turns against them. The outcome of this film will shock you.

And When Did You Last See Your Father?

June 18^th 6:30pm State Theatre

June 21^st 1:45pm Dendy Opera Quays

This is an emotional and moving film about a father and son. Their story of life, love and friendship is told over many years as the father is dying. Starring Jim Broadbent and Colin Firth this is one film not to be missed.

Donkey Punch

6^th June 8:45pm GU George St

9^th June 8:45pm GU George St

Three brash young girls from Leeds hit the beaches of Mallorca looking for a good time and end up heading out to sea on a yacht with four thoroughly British lads after a night out clubbing. Sauced up on a heady cocktail of drink and drugs, two of the girls get into some steamy business with three of the guys in the master suite.

Funny Games

5^th June 9:20pm State Theatre

22^nd June 11:30am State Theatre

This disturbing thriller starring Michael Pitt and Naomi Watts is about two crazed teenagers. While on holiday in the country the two invite themselves into the house occupied by a mother and her husband and son. What comes next is truly unimaginable in this dark and twisted thriller from director Michael Haneke.

Heartbeat Detector

13^th June 9:10pm State Theatre

19^th June 12:00pm State Theatre

An office psychologist working for a large chemical firm in this unsettling and utterly compelling film. Polished and picture perfect, Simon, the 21st century corporate dream boy, starts to unravel when he is assigned to determine the mental well-being of his firm's Chief Executive.

This is just a peek at the offerings this year more to come shortly.

Tags: film festival