Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, today launched the official program for the Sydney Film Festival, marking a remarkable six decades of one of the world's longest running and most respected film festivals.
8 May 2013“The Travelling Film Festival component will also take highlights from the main program to Western Sydney’s Casula Powerhouse and six different regional locations - Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Huskisson, Dubbo, Bowraville, Wollongong and Newcastle.”
In recognizing the milestone, Mr Souris congratulated NSW filmmakers Ivan Sen and David Jowsey, whose film Mystery Road has been selected for the prestigious Opening Night screening slot.
The 60th Sydney Film Festival, which takes place from June 5-16, is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW and Destination NSW.
“Almost 200 films from Australia and around the world will screen during the Festival, with an expected audience of more than 120,000 people.
“The Sydney Film Festival is one of NSW’s major cultural events. I have no doubt that we will be just as surprised and entertained by the selection on offer at the 2013 Festival as our forebears were back in 1954, when the first film festival was held at the University of Sydney.”
Mr Souris said NSW film talent would be represented at the Festival including, the world premieres of Mystery Road on the opening night and Sydney-based production, Nerve, and the Australian premiere of Tribeca and Berlin award-winning film, The Rocket.
“NSW film talent will once again be showcased on the world stage demonstrating the strength of the State’s screen sector and our creative industries.
“NSW accounts for 38 per cent of Australia’s creative industries workforce, and is the base to almost half of Australia’s film and television businesses and 46 per cent of the industry workforce, generating an income of $1.3 billion per annum.
“The NSW Government remains committed to supporting and growing our screen sector - not only in recognition of its crucial role in our creative industries, but also its role in helping showcase our strengths on the world stage.”
“For the third consecutive year, the Sydney Film Festival and VIVID will be partnering on several special presentations. Bringing together two of Sydney’s most creatively-inspired events will provide a feast of mid-year entertainment for visitors and locals alike, as well as attracting the interest of people working in the creative industries internationally, attracting potential investment to Sydney and NSW.”
More information available on www.screen.nsw.gov.au
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