100505_SydneyFilmFes.. - Screen NSW

Minister for Fair Trading
Minister for the Arts
Virginia Judge MP
5 May 2010
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES 2010 PROGRAM
The full program for the Sydney Film Festival - one of the centrepieces of Australia’s cultural
calendar - has been officially launched at Circular Quay today.
Speaking at the launch, NSW Arts Minister Virginia Judge said the event is now in its 57 th year,
making it Australia’s oldest continuous film festival.
“The Keneally Government is a major supporter of the Sydney Film Festival, investing $2.91
million over three years to help cement its reputation as Australia’s premier film festival,” Ms
Judge said.
“This year the Sydney Film Festival will screen approximately 150 feature length films from
around 45 countries.
“An exciting section of films will be showcased including the much anticipated Australian
premieres of Roman Polanski’s The Ghost, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett in The Runaways and
Gerard Depardieu in Mammuth.
“The Sydney Film Festival plays a pivotal role in positioning NSW as Australia’s centre of screen
production.
“It’s truly a magnet for filmmakers and film fans from across the country and overseas.”
The Sydney Film Festival will hold events at venues across the city at the State Theatre, George
Street Event Cinemas, Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of NSW from 2-14 June.
It is the only Australian film festival to include an International Federation of Film Producers
Association-accredited Official Competition.
The Sydney Film Prize - offering $60,000 in cash - is Australia’s most valuable film prize,
supported by Events NSW.
Ms Judge said the festival creates new business opportunities for local producers, distributions
and exhibitors by drawing professionals from around the world.
“As well as screening films, the Sydney Film Festival hosts a series of industry events and
seminars which have a direct and significant impact on the NSW screen economy,” she said.
“The latest National Drama Production Survey confirmed NSW as the leader in screen production
in Australia.
“It found that $434 million of drama production took place in NSW in 2008/2009.
“Last year, the NSW Government announced a package of new screen industry incentives aimed
Media contact: Georgie Klug 02 9228 5900 / 0427 066 616

at making this State the most attractive location for screen production in Australia.
“A number of high profile productions have been secured for NSW such as Mad Max 4: Fury
Road, Me and My Monsters, Sucker Punch, Happy Feet 2 and Rescue.
“The State Government has also attracted back to NSW significant industry events and
conferences including the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) annual conference
and the Australian Film Institute Awards (AFI).”
In 2009, the State Government committed $5 million to increasing the State’s film production
investment fund and attracting up to $60 million in production expenditure and creating up to 1300
new jobs in NSW.
In 2009/2010 to date, Screen NSW has invested $6.5 million in local film and television projects
generating nearly $80 million in expenditure for the State.”
The full 2010 program will be available on the Sydney Film Festival website on 7 May at
www.sydneyfilmfestival.org
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL – SIX FAST FACTS:
The first Sydney Film Festival was held in June 1954 at the University of Sydney in four
halls.
The event has grown to be one of the world’s longest running film festivals.
The Sydney Film Festival showcases full feature films, documentaries, short films,
retrospectives, a silent film presentation and a series of industry events and forums.
In 2010, the Sydney Film Festival will screen 150 feature length films from 45 countries.
Since 2008, the festival has hosted an Official Competition which is recognised by the
Federation Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films (FIAPF).
The Sydney Film Prize, a cash prize worth $60,000, was established to reward new
directions in film which are ‘audacious and courageous’.
Media contact: Georgie Klug 02 9228 5900 / 0427 066 616