The festival has now been extended to three days, starting on Friday night. Short film All These Creatures and controversial Australian mash-up flick Terror Nullius will play on the opening night, before Studio 54 The Documentary starts at 9pm.

Not only are patrons encouraged to dress up in the spirit of the iconic 70s New York nightclub, a classic supper with kitschy canapes and cocktails will be provided along with the film.

Another highlight is the gold donation family film Oddball on Sunday at 10am, which includes a meet and greet with animal trainer Luke Hura - who has worked on Red Dog - and one of his fluffy friends.

"There are people in Ballarat that love alternative-type cinema, the cinema in town doesn't seem to have the audience numbers ... so we're really the only festival that shows a group of non-mainstream films in one go," festival founder Joan Goldsmith said.

She said while the film festival was based on a similar event in Halls Gap, there was an ethos about "keeping it in the village" and encouraging patronage to businesses.

"Quite a number of people come from Melbourne, stay at the same B&B when they come. They're just like family, really," she said.

BFF also has a connection to Ballarat Heritage Weekend, which is also rolling out this weekend. Mooramong - Private Hollywood will screen for free in the Buninyong Town Hall, detailing the life of silent film actress Claire Adams and her husband Donald 'Scobie' MacKinnon who made Skipton their home in 1938.

Another Australian film favourite will be the doco Midnight Oil 1984 which recounts the year the band released iconic album Red Sails in the Sunset. BFF organiser Niki Kostos says the film is "not just about the band, but about the era and the Hawke government".

Tickets from $15 for a single film, or $90 for all nine sessions. buninyongfilmfestival.com.au