Sydney Film Festival program launched

The festival was launched today by the Premier, Barry O’Farrell, who congratulated new Festival Director Nashen Moodley on presenting his first program, featuring 156 titles from 51 countries in 49 languages.

Mr Souris, who accompanied the Premier, said the NSW Government is not only supporting this year’s festival but has committed to funding the event for a further four years.
"Now in its 59th year, Sydney Film Festival, which runs from June 6 -17, is one of the world’s oldest continuous running film festivals,” Mr Souris said.

"Sydney Film Festival is now an important cultural event for our global city, confirming Sydney's status as the screen industry and creative capital of Australia and a major cultural event destination.

“Sydney Film Festival is a much-loved part of the major events calendar providing film-makers with a wonderful opportunity to showcase their work, as well as providing an injection into the State economy”.

Mr Souris proudly pointed out that a number of NSW films supported by Screen NSW will figure prominently in the 2012 Sydney Film Festival program.

“Two NSW films have been selected for the Sydney Film Festival Official Competition and another NSW film selected as the Opening Night Film,” Mr Souris said.

“Lore, written and directed by Cate Shortland, and Dead Europe, written and directed by Tony Krawitz, will both compete with films from around the world for the Sydney Film Prize, the prestigious internationally-recognised Official Competition.

“Not Suitable for Children, starring Ryan Kwanten and directed by Peter Templeman, has been chosen to open the Festival.

“I note that Sydney Film Festival will also host the world premiere of another NSW film Being Venice, the telemovie Mabo, from NSW-based Indigenous director Rachel Perkins, and the short film Letter Tape, which was produced under the NSW Government’s Emerging Filmmaker Fund.

“These selections are a resounding vote of confidence by Sydney Film Festival’s new Director Nashen Moodley in the tremendous quality of films being made here in NSW and it will be a great thrill for the filmmakers to have their films premiere in their hometown, Sydney.

“Production levels in the State have been strong over the past year with numerous exciting local television and film projects being filmed, including The Sapphires, filmed in Western Sydney and Albury, which will have its world premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival this month, The Grandmothers, Redfern Now, The Great Gatsby, and soon to begin filming in Sydney, The Wolverine.

“I congratulate all filmmakers from NSW whose films have been chosen to screen at Sydney Film Festival, which takes its place among the very best film festivals in the world.”

Sydney Film Festival will screen in a range of venues across the city including the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, and the Art Gallery of NSW.

For full details of the Sydney Film Festival program visit www.sff.org.au.