Calling all romance lovers or lovers of romance lovers! Blussh Romance Festival is back to make Valentine’s Day easy, with two days of romantic films, author talks and more! If you’re already feeling butterflies, read one to fall even more in love with the program.
What to expect
The headliner and absolute star of the festival is Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. The long-awaited adaptation, starring Aussie legends, Academy Award and BAFTA nominee Margot Robbie opposite BAFTA nominee Jacob Elordi will be screening on Friday, February 13.
A bold reimagining of Emily Brontë’s literary classic, you’ll get to witness Cathy and Heathcliff’s tortured love — the OG toxic situationship — on the big screen after a fittingly Gothic black carpet. Dress code: red, as tribute, of course, to Kate Bush’s enduring banger.
This dark, passionate affair will transport you to the wild Yorkshire moors and will be an evening to remember, with lots of bubbly and filled with the festival’s main loves: intense romance, films and books!
And that’s not the only silver screen love you’ll get to see! In fact, overall, there will be a total of 5 romantic films shown throughout the two days. Three of them are still TBA, and will be announced later in January. The second one, however, is 1992 classic and cultural touchstone, The Bodyguard. Perhaps best known for its record-breaking soundtrack, especially Whitney Houston’s timeless cover of I Will Always Love You, the movie sizzles with the chemistry between the music legend herself and her co-star Kevin Costner. A cinematic phenomenon that blends romance, suspense, and pop culture seamlessly, you won’t want to miss it!
Now, Blussh Romance Festival wouldn’t be complete without its other half: literature. And so far, the literary program is making us swoon! It kicks off with the Queens of today’s trendiest genre remix, romantasy. Masters of the craft and emerging artists alike will unpack what makes this genre so popular now, what makes it tick, and if its built to last or if it’s just a fling. You’ll be able to hear from voices as inspiring as NYT-bestselling autor Stacey McEwan, diversity and world-building pro AK Mulford, award-winning Sara L Richhelm, and powerhouse Jaymin Eve, with moderator Kate Cuthbert, veteran editor and book industry professional.
Also on the program, and to complement The Bodyguard is Lights, Camera, Love!, a panel that’ll pull back the curtain on the contemporary stories that explore the drama of connection in the world of rockstars, famous athletes, reality TV, and more. You’ll get to hear from authors who write stories in which the characters fall in love while the world is watching and, woven into the conversation is those who protect the stars: the lovers, the crew, the bodyguards.
Also announced is the popular Lussh Literary Lunch. Having sold out in 2025, the upcoming event promises to be just as engaging, with a varied panel from around Australia there to discuss the joy and challenges of writing collaboratively. Explore the art and intimacy of collaboration with authors who write, edit, and dream together.
Practical information
Blussh Romance Festival will take place on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14.
The second wave of programming will be unveiled in late January. You can see the announced program here.
Tickets for those events are on sale now and vary in price according to the event. You can get them all here.
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