Rock The Boat Film Festival 2025 — Screenings & Networking

RHB FILMS proudly presents Rock The Boat Film Festival 2025

ROCK THE BOAT FILM FESTIVAL - Season 4

A short film festival that is open and accessible to all, with the aims of platforming emerging filmmakers, and bringing communities closer together through storytelling.

This year, there are 4 sessions of screenings, each with Q&A time, in-cinema voting for People's Choice Awards, networking events. Then, to conclude the festival, we have the annual Gala Awards Night to acknowledge and celebrate finalists and winners.

For the networking events, filmmakers, friends and family are welcome to gather in the Gold Lounge Function Area of the cinema to connect. This licensed area has number restrictions. Please see individual events for details.

The Gala Awards Night information is below, as is the link to "Get Tickets".

View the program schedule for the session and events you wish to attend, then look for the corresponding Location/Day/Time on the ticket list.

You can also view our FESTIVAL PROGRAM here: Rock The Boat Film Festival Program 2025

For tickets to Screenings & Networking click "Get Tickets" now.

The link to our Gala Awards Night is here.

EVENT SCHEDULE

11th September - Networking, Media Wall, Event Photographer, Opening Night Ceremony & Screening, Q&A, People's Choice Award & Best Music Video Voting

14th September - Media Wall, Event Photographer, Family-Friendly Session, Q&A, In-Cinema People's Choice Award Voting, Networking.

20th September - Fright Night — Two mysterious sessions in one night! Mystery & Mind Games and Fright Night (horror short films).

Tickets are available for each session, sold separately. Or, if you would like a full night of fright, we have organised a double-session bonus offer!

This night includes Networking, Media Wall, Event Photographer, Q&A, In-Cinema People's Choice Award Voting for each session.

18th October - Gala Awards Night, our red carpet, black tie event. Final screenings and award presentations.

Networking sessions throughout the event. (Scroll down after the 'Screenings' section for more information on networking at RTBFF.)

For a full break down of each scheduled event read on, or press 'Get Tickets'. Full details below.

SCREENINGS & NETWORKING

OPENING NIGHT

Thursday, 11th September

@ ACE Cinemas Rockingham
Tickets $22

Networking from 5:30 pm

Those who have purchased a ticket to the Opening Night Ceremony and Screening are welcome to gather in the Gold Lounge function from 5:30 pm to network. Drinks and refreshments may be purchased from the Gold Lounge bar. Please note: this is a licensed area and under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Gold Lounge capacity for this night is 120. Please show your ticket at the door. Entry is on a first-come basis.

Ceremony and Screening
6:45 pm
Media Wall with Event Photographer, Opening Ceremony, Opening Night Screening, Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting & Best Music Video Voting

Please note: If this session was a film, it would likely be classified M for Mental health themes and occasional coarse language. Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.

6:15 pm — Registrations open outside specified cinema.

6:30 pm — Our event photographer will be available to capture your photos in front of the media wall. These images will be accessible in the days following the event, allowing you to share them on social media. 

6:45 pm — Welcome to Country address, followed by the official Opening Ceremony. Please note: There is no seat allocation for general admission. Seats are on a first-come basis. Event photographer will take an audience group photo and the first screening for 2025 commences.

Screenings conclude with customised credits for filmmakers from that session. Filmmakers, along with their cast and crew, will be invited to the front of the cinema for acknowledgement. The audience (and other filmmakers) will have the chance to partake in a brief Q&A session. All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award, and also their choice for Best Music Video. (These papers can be placed in the ballot box upon exiting the cinema.) One film project from this session, and for every session of the festival, plus one music video, WILL be awarded the In-Cinema People's Choice Award at our Gala Awards Night.

8:45 pm — Opening Night for RTBFF 2025 officially concludes.

This is not a catered event. Popcorn, drinks, and snacks can be purchased from the ACE Cinemas Candy Bar. Additionally, for those who attend the earlier networking event in the Gold Lounge can purchase food and beverages from the Gold Lounge bar.

Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.

There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.

Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.

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Family Fun Day

Sunday, 14th October 

11:00 am @ ACE Cinemas Rockingham
Adults $22 Students $15

Screening, Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting

Please note: Parental guidance is recommended. If this session was a film, it would likely be classified PG for Mild themes, comedic violence and coarse language.

The ACE Cinemas candy bar will be open to purchase any food or drink before entering the cinema.

10:30 am — Registrations open outside specified cinema.

10:40 am — Our event photographer will be available to capture your photos in front of the media wall. These images will be accessible in the days following the event, allowing you to share them on social media. 

11:00 am — There will be a brief introductory address and our event photographer will take an audience group photo before the screenings commence.

Screenings conclude with customised credits for filmmakers from that session. Filmmakers, along with their cast and crew, will be invited to the front of the cinema for acknowledgement. The audience (and other filmmakers) will have the chance to partake in a brief Q&A session. All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for Award In-Cinema People’s Choice Award. (These can be placed in the ballot box upon exiting the cinema.) One film project from this session WILL win In-Cinema's People's Choice Award for this session, based on the voting from the audience on the day.

1:00 pm — The Family Fun Day Session for RTBFF 2025 officially concludes.

Networking from 1:00 pm

Those who have purchased a ticket for this session are welcome to gather in the Gold Lounge function area after the screening to network. Drinks and refreshments may be purchased from the Gold Lounge bar. Please note: this is a licensed area and under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Gold Lounge capacity for this day is 80. Please show your ticket at the door. Entry is on a first-come basis.

This Family Fun Day Session is not a catered event. The ACE Cinemas Candy Bar will be open prior to the screening to purchase snacks and drinks.

Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.

There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.

Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.

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Mystery & Mind Games

Saturday, 20th October 

@ ACE Cinemas Rockingham
Tickets $22

This is part of a back-to-back session, followed by FRIGHT NIGHT.

For anyone attending both, we are offering a double ticket for $35. Go to "Get Tickets".

Networking from 4:00 pm

Those who have purchased a ticket to Mystery & Mind Games, or the double ticket offer for Fright Night are welcome to gather in the Gold Lounge function room from 4:00 pm to network. Drinks and refreshments may be purchased from the Gold Lounge bar. Please note: this is a licensed area and under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Gold Lounge capacity for this 4:00 pm networking session is 80. Please show your ticket at the door. Entry is on a first-come basis.

Screening
5:00 pm
Media Wall with Event Photographer, Mystery & Mind Games Screening, Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting

Please note: Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. If this session was a film, it would likely be classified M for Mature themes, violence, coarse language, drug references and brief self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised.

The ACE Cinemas candy bar will be open to purchase any food or drink before entering the cinema.

4:30 pm — Registrations open outside specified cinema.

4:40 am — Our event photographer will be available to capture your photos in front of the media wall. These images will be accessible in the days following the event, allowing you to share them on social media. 

5:00 pm — There will be a brief introductory address and our event photographer will take an audience group photo before the screenings commence.

Screenings conclude with customised credits for filmmakers from that session. Filmmakers, along with their cast and crew, will be invited to the front of the cinema for acknowledgement. The audience (and other filmmakers) will have the chance to partake in a brief Q&A session. All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award. (These can be placed in the ballot box upon exiting the cinema.) One film project from this session WILL win In-Cinema's People's Choice Award for this session, based on the voting from the audience on the day.

7:00 pm — The Mystery & Mind Games Session officially concludes.

For those staying for the Fright Night session, there will be a 30 minute intermission. If the 80 people capacity has not been reached in the Gold Lounge for the next session of networking that would have already commenced, you may join this group. Food and drink will be available from the Gold Lounge bar for purchase. Additionally, there are many eateries just outside the cinema entrance in Syren Street. If you are returning for Fright Night, the session will start promptly at 7:30 pm.

The Mystery & Mind Games session is not a catered event. The ACE Cinemas Candy Bar will be open prior to the screening to purchase snacks and drinks.

Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.

There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.

Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.


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Fright Night

Saturday, 20th October 

@ ACE Cinemas Rockingham
Tickets $22

This is part of a back-to-back session, following MYSTERY & MIND GAMES.

For anyone attending both, we are offering a double ticket for $35. Go to "Get Tickets".

Networking from 6:00 pm

Those who have purchased a ticket to Fright Night, you are welcome to gather in the Gold Lounge function room from 6:00 pm to network. Drinks and refreshments may be purchased from the Gold Lounge bar. Please note: this is a licensed area and under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Gold Lounge capacity for this 6:00 pm networking session is 80. Please show your ticket at the door. Entry is on a first-come basis. The Mystery & Mind Games session will still be running at this time, and the RTBFF team will still be in the session until 7:00 pm.

Screening
7:30 pm
Media Wall with Event Photographer, Fright Night, Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting

Please note: Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. If this session was a film, it would likely be classified M for Horror themes, blood and gore, violence and coarse language. Viewer discretion is advised.

The ACE Cinemas candy bar will be open to purchase any food or drink before entering the cinema.

7:00 pm — Registrations open outside specified cinema.

7:10 pm — Our event photographer will be available to capture your photos in front of the media wall. These images will be accessible in the days following the event, allowing you to share them on social media. 

7:30 pm — There will be a brief introductory address before the screenings commence.

Screenings conclude with customised credits for filmmakers from that session. Filmmakers, along with their cast and crew, will be invited to the front of the cinema for acknowledgement. The audience (and other filmmakers) will have the chance to partake in a brief Q&A session. All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award. (These can be placed in the ballot box upon exiting the cinema.) One film project from this session WILL win In-Cinema's People's Choice Award for this session, based on the voting from the audience on the day.

9:30 pm — The Fright Night Session officially concludes.

The Fright Night session is not a catered event. The ACE Cinemas Candy Bar will be open prior to the screening to purchase snacks and drinks.

Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.

There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.

Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.

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GALA AWARDS NIGHT

Saturday, 18th October

Gala Awards Night

7:00 pm @ ACE Cinemas Rockingham

Final Screenings and Awards Ceremony

Tickets $49

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.

Link to order tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/rock-the-boat-film-festival-2025-gala-awards-night

For our fourth year in a row, Rock The Boat Film Festival will conclude with a black-tie red-carpet awards ceremony where finalists are screened and winners are awarded. This special evening brings together filmmakers, friends and family from across all regions of the festival.

If there’s just one event this year to dress up for, this is it! Our Event Photographer will begin taking photos on the red carpet at 7:00 pm sharp, ensuring you capture your red-carpet moment. These images will be made available for download, free to keep or share as you wish.

Upon arrival inside the cinema, there will be a selection of nibbles and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage waiting for you. This pre-ceremony time provides a fantastic opportunity to network and make new connections or catch up with familiar faces.

At 7:40 pm, guests will be seated for the awards ceremony and screenings, where main category finalists will be presented, as well as further Awards of Recognition for Best Cinematography, Best Performance, Best Music Video, all four People’s Choice Awards, others yet to be announced, and the annual Rising Star Award. Following our closing ceremony, the event will conclude by 10:30 pm.

There will be a 20 minute comfort break during the ceremony, whereby any confectionary or water can be purchased from ACE Cinemas’ candy bar. The cinema is a non-licensed area, so any alcohol must be purchased and consumed within the Gold Lounge Function Room exclusively.

If you would like to arrive for networking before the red-carpet commences, there will be capacity for 60 guests in the Gold Lounge Function Room for Gala Awards Night guests starting from 5:30 pm. Admission will be on a first-come basis.

Please note: the refreshments will consist of nibbles and light finger food, not a full dinner, but there will be Gluten Free (GF) and Vegan (VG) options available. Catering staff will be on hand to advise guests about suitable food for any special dietary needs.

Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.

There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.

Event programme may be subject to change or slight variation.