In between the digital screenings, the full-day event will include live readings by nationally and internationally acclaimed authors from our region, and a live panel discussion.

Director of the South Coast Writers Centre Friederike Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said being part of the Live & Local event puts the metro festival in reach of people living in more remote areas, and "giving them the opportunity to be part of the wider literary landscape".

"There's always a perceived divide between the regional and metropolis putting out cultural dialogue ... and on the whole regional areas are quite underestimated," Ms Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said. "The more you open your eyes on the grass roots level you see the region has a lot of clever people - giving an enormous cultural output and contributing to the wider Australian culture."

Ms Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis believes being involved in the Sydney Festival helps stamp out an assumption the region lacks cultural activity.

Some of the speakers streamed include comedian and broadcaster, Adam Spencer; violinist, conductor and composer, Richard Tognetti AO; and former Queensland premier, Anna Bligh.

Featured locally will be Merlinda Bobis, renowned writer and teacher of Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong, who believes mixing a showcase of local writers with the larger festival reinforces regional artists are part of the national culture.

Tickets can be bought for morning, afternoon and/or evening sessions - Call the Box Office on 02 4224 5999 or visit www.wollongongtownhall.com.au.