Festival X and The Design Kids (TDK) co-host a panel on “how to get a damned job (or make one). Hear from three inspiring creatives – Bronte McKell (TDK + Camplify), Claire Dawson (COO Mudbath) and Professor Paul Egglestone (Head of the School of Creative Industries) – then quiz them in a Q&A session hosted by Dr Ben Matthews. The panel discussion takes place in the University’s Theatrette, a hidden gem on the Ground Floor of University House. Afterward there will be a chance for guests to meet local creatives with representatives in the crowd from TDK, Enigma, Headjam, OOTs, NIB, the Greater and more at the Watt Space Gallery Bar. Free entry but numbers are limited so register now.

Students from the Conservatorium are coming together to raise funds and awareness for Rural Aid, supporting farmers in drought stricken areas. There is a great line up of amazing performers including:

- Kat Waria
- Bone Dry Boys
- Aaron White & The Passengers
- SPUZ

Every donation will be going straight to Rural Aid to help farmers in drought!!

A film to tell the story of the mental health of the 42,000 people working in the Australian entertainment industry. The film follows former Home & Away actor and debut documentary filmmaker Ben Steel on a soul-searching investigation into why are there so many entertainment workers developing and struggling with mental wellbeing issues. Ben shares his intimate experiences living with depression and anxiety for the past few years, and along the way, we are witness to his intimate conversations with key creatives and crew, actors, dancers, musicians, performers- many of them household names - who have likewise struggled and how they have survived. While this film may not reach and save every life, we hope it will have enough impact to at least save one, and that it will spark much needed conversations about mental health. Free entry but registration is essential.

A site-specific, immersive performance by the University’s Creative and Performing Arts students, in one of Newcastle’s most historic buildings, former police station turned art gallery, The Lock-Up. Though formerly a place of incarceration and control, it’s new life as a contemporary art centre; its previously locked doors, opened and creative freedom unleashed. Ticket includes high tea and a complimentary drink.

The University of Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries invites students from Year 10 and 11 to experiment and learn within the University’s city campus. At the open day there will be interactive presentations, a showcase of university student work and hands on workshops. Primarily aimed at students interested in design, technology, entertainment, music, photography, videography, visual arts and media.

A panel of PhD students from The School of Creative Industries will discuss the value of a PhD. The discussion will cover a range of experiences and why a PhD journey was initiated. By showcasing Creative Practice and Traditional PhD’s this panel will present a range of points of view that can be framed through PhD research. Hosted by Kylie Morris, Channel 4 Journalist and UON Alumni and featuring PhD Candidates Thomas Studley (PhD Music), Louisa Magrics (PhD Fine Art), Iliana Oaks (PhD Natural History Illustration), Edward Reddin (PhD Communication and Media Arts), Sally Cloke (Design PhD).

With the culmination of three years of study in reach, our graduating Bachelor of Music students will delight audiences in their final recital. Expect a mixture of styles and genres, from timeless classical and jazz performances to new and original compositions, our next generation of musicians will surprise and delight you, making certain you are tapping your feet all night long.

Learn about our region through a series of short documentaries, produced with sensitivity, skill, intelligence and compassion by University of Newcastle students. Whether viewed through diverse communities, marginalised peoples, youth centric cultures or rehabilitation work done for our vulnerable environments, you will walk away with a deeper understanding of the Hunter Region, told by some of our emerging documentary filmmakers.

Welcome the weekend, raise a glass and join us to celebrate the immense achievements and dogged determination of our third year students. This is the official opening of Festival X and will take place on the ground floor of University House. This heritage listed building, formerly known as NESCA House, is now home to our Design students whose work will be bringing the space to life alongside students of music, fine art, performing arts and more

Kick off the Animation Festival with stand-out animations and talks from some of Australia’s most talented animators. Come along to the Australian Showcase to laugh, learn and pick their brains about the journey of taking animation to the world. The speaker line up will include Award winning Writer, Director and Animator Alex Weight (Happy Feet) and Animation Supervisor and Storyboard Artist Simon Ashton (The Lion King 2).

Transit is the final exhibition for our graduating third year students from the Bachelor of Visual Communication Design. The show will feature a range of self-directed projects from our new designers as they transition from their undergraduate degrees and look towards what is next for their creative endeavours!

Lots of fun for all animation explorers. A cute, quirky, giggle-worthy session that will fill kids small and tall with wonder and excitement. Face painting, popcorn and live music from the "Supertonics" in the Foyer of the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music prior to the screening for all little and big kids alike! All ages welcome. Fun starts at 10:00am.

For one day only, Festival X has joined forces with the Olive Tree Markets! Come down to Civic Park to enjoy music, food and handmade goodies of all kinds. Showcasing the incredible work of our Creative Industries students, you might even find a memento of the festival.

Festival X is joining forces with the Olive Tree Markets! Showcasing the incredible work of our Creative Industries students, come get yourself a memento of the festival

Women x Women is a fundraising event designed to raise awareness and funds for women's mental health service Liptember. Liptember is a campaign dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s health, harnessing the true potential of the collective, encouraging and inspiring people to listen, share, and learn. They are a demographically and socially diverse group of women and men committed to raising funds and awareness for women's mental health. This event is also an opportunity for all women to share and connect, acknowledge and celebration the contributions we make to the diverse spaces that we occupy. So come join us! For an amazing afternoon of fundraising, food, drinks, music and a chance at some wicked prizes.

Join us to uncover the region’s hottest documentary film making talent under the watchful eyes of screen industry panellists Actress Rachael Blake, Director David Caesar, Producer Scott Hartley and Cinematographer Don McAlpine.

A site-specific, immersive performance by the University’s Creative and Performing Arts students, in one of Newcastle’s most historic buildings, former police station turned art gallery, The Lock-Up. Though formerly a place of incarceration and control, it’s new life as a contemporary art centre; its previously locked doors, opened and creative freedom unleashed. Ticket includes high tea and a complimentary drink.

With the culmination of three years of study in reach, our graduating Bachelor of Music students will delight audiences in their final recital. Expect a mixture of styles and genres, from timeless classical and jazz performances to new and original compositions, our next generation of musicians will surprise and delight you, making certain you are tapping your feet all night long.

After incredible performances in 2018, This Land is returning to Festival X. This year's project is sure to be a highlight of our program, featuring performances by some of Australia's best Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers. This Land will feature incredible performances of Goori Dooki, the Yanaya Project, Ray Kelly Jnr, Jacob Ridgeway. The performance will explore relevant issues of identity, language revitalisation, culture and history, and the threads that bind us together as dwellers in This Land.

Come see the best short movies from across the School of Creative Industries on the big screen. This curated celebration of moving images will showcase the year’s best drama, documentary, animations, 10-shot films and major screen works. At the end of the screening, the “Newbies” will be announced, with awards for the most outstanding work in various categories. Dress up and walk the red carpet in the closing event of Festival X. All tickets are $10 and include a complimentary drink on arrival.

Students from Natural History Illustration, Visual Communication Design, Bachelor of Creative Industries and Visual arts come together to show their final work for 2019 across Watt Space Gallery and the Ground Floor of University House. Free Entry.