AROUND THE WORLD WITH NASHEN MOODLEY

Think your diary is overstuffed? Try being Nashen Moodley. The director of the Sydney Film Festival estimates he’s on the road for roughly five months of the year; within weeks of the SFF’s closing night, he’s crossing the globe to visit film festivals and markets and start selecting titles for the coming year’s 12-day festival. He does have one regret: due to the timing of the SFF, a visit to Cannes in late May is impossible. Moodley says it makes him “quite sad. Cannes represents both the highest respect for the art form along with the most disgusting commercial aspects, all in one place. I hope to return one day.” Time Out invited Moodley to walk us through his travels over the past year.

South Africa Durban Film Festival (Jul) “It’s the festival I worked at for 11 years. We’re gradually seeing diversity in the films that are made there.” This year’s pick-up: Joe Bullet

Italy Venice Film Festival (Aug-Sep) “I love the city, the food and the selection. It’s quite a small program – neat and tidy and easy to navigate.” This year’s pick-up: A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence

Canada Toronto Film Festival (Sep) “Toronto is busy and huge. You get to see some of the biggest films of the year alongside some really obscure gems.” This year’s pick-ups: Love & Mercy; Phoenix South Korea Busan International Film Festival (Oct) “I go for the Asian cinema – it’s the most important film festival in that region.” This year’s pick-up: Haemoo

Japan Tokyo Film Festival (Oct) “This was my first time – I’d love to go back.” This year’s pick-up: Kabukicho Love Hotel

India International Film Festival of India, Goa (Nov) “I saw lots of works in progress and had meetings about projects which could emerge in a year or two.”

United Arab Emirates Dubai International Film Festival (Dec) “I’ve consulted for them for many years.” This year’s pick-up: Vincent USA Sundance (Jan-Feb) “I work so hard at Sundance. I watch films from morning to night and don’t go to any parties.” This year’s pick-up: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Netherlands International Film Festival Rotterdam (Jan-Feb) “It’s the first international festival I ever went to.” This year’s pick-up: The Project of the Century

Germany Berlin International Film Festival (Feb) “Berlin is really important for us. A lot of our selection comes from there.” This year’s pick-ups: Second Mother; Tehran Taxi