Hepburn Shire mayor Janine Booth said the screening of the film was a great opportunity to reflect on the events of February 2009 and pay tribute to the volunteers, emergency service personnel and council staff involved in fighting the fire and the recovery effort.

"Against the backdrop of the terrible Black Saturday bushfires we were extremely fortunate that no lives were lost when fire hit locally on February 23, burning some 2300 hectares and directly affecting more than 60 properties,'' Cr Booth said.

"This film now provides a lasting insight into the very personal responses people have when faced with bushfire and the need to flee to safety.

" congratulate both the Hepburn Community Recovery ecommittee for the backing they have given this project and filmmaker Ivor Bowen for capturing so well the feelings of residents as they recount their fears and emotions and talk about what was important to them as they sought safety.''

Filmmaker Ivor Bowen said the idea was inspired by the Not Left Behind art exhibition held in Daylesford last year, during which community members shared stories, images and reflections of what people took with them when they fled from the fire.

Items included a ceramic frog, which had survived the blitz in London during WW2, shoes and a boy's crystal collection.

For Daylesford mum Beck Walker, one of the residents featured in the film, the decision of what to take was difficult.

"We could see the fire coming up from Korweinguboora and Musk. It was like a nuclear cloud, it was pretty terrifying,'' she said.

"I looked around the house and everything was really sentimental and meaningful.

"Then I realised all that mattered was the children and the pets.''

Ms Walker later entered her childhood dollhouse into the art exhibition, as a representation of family. She was one of more than 120 people who attended the film screening last Thursday evening.