Buninyong Film Festival is screening foreign film Pizza and Dates at Red Door Pizzeria on November 30. 

Hand-crafted pizza and cocktails will be served on the night, with audience members having the opportunity to soak up the Italian atmosphere before the film. 

The idea was first floated by Red Door Pizzeria owner Trevor Whitworth, before being embraced by the festival.

Buninyong Film Festival co-director Jaime Brown said their first pop-up was offering an out of the ordinary viewing experience.

“People really want something a bit different now, because people can watch stuff online more than ever, rather than having to be plonked in front of a screen,” Brown said.

“This is really about a bunch of elements coming together as a whole.”

Pizza and Dates is a playful comedy about cultural exchange and integration on Venice’s canals. 

Brown said the rebrand was part of their desire to be a constant presence throughout the year. 

“After an audit of the festival and the creation of a new logo which celebrate where we’ve come from, we thought about why the festival had to be the penultimate event,” he said.

“We want to create other things throughout the year, so we’re looking at having three pop ups during the year alongside the larger festival in May.”

Brown said the multi-ethnic comedy had broader resonance with the current political climate. 

“It’s about Muslims who start a new life in Italy and it doesn’t all go to plan, and at face value it’s funny,” he said. 

“People will be able to have a belly laugh at the situations and juxtapositions in Pizza and Dates.

“But it says something about how we all want to be accepted for who we are, and even if the packaging is different we’re all human underneath.

“It’s topical considering the same-sex marriage debate and the current situation on Manus Island, and it makes the argument that there should be inclusivity, not division and derision.”

Tickets $50, purchase online at buninyongfilmfestival.com.au.