The red carpet is out, the spotlights are set, and the first annual Adelaide Film Festival is ready to kick off tonight, it used to be a bi-annual celebration. South Australian-made films are marked to be a focal point at this inaugural event, marking a significant moment in the state’s cinematic history.
The Government’s commitment to transforming the Adelaide Film Festival into an annual celebration of cinema came to fruition with a $2 million injection over four years. In tandem, an extra $2 million is earmarked for the Adelaide Film Festival’s Investment Fund, aimed at nurturing South Australian film projects and fortifying the region’s burgeoning screen sector.
“This is a milestone for the Adelaide Film Festival and demonstrates the Malinauskas Government’s commitment to supporting South Australia’s screen sector as it continues to receive international recognition,” Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels, says.
The Adelaide Film Festival was the pioneer in establishing an investment fund among Australian film festivals. Over the past two decades, it has sowed the seeds for over 150 projects, some of which have blossomed into iconic Australian films like “Talk to Me,” “I Am Woman,” and “Hotel Mumbai.”
This year’s festival promises a captivating lineup, with more than 130 films hailing from 43 countries. The program includes 27 world premieres and 38 Australian premieres, offering a diverse and dynamic cinematic experience.
“We’re thrilled to be presenting the first annual presentation of the Adelaide Film Festival, 18-29 October 2023, with an extraordinary array of Australian talent showcased within a broader, quality, international program,” Adelaide Film Festival CEO Mat Kesting says.
“We are genuinely excited by the response from audiences, reflected in how fast sessions are selling and encourage people to see in the dark, and see something unexpected.”
South Australia’s film industry continues to thrive, and this year’s Adelaide Film Festival is bookended by two outstanding South Australian productions.
The festival opens with “The Royal Hotel,” a film directed by Kitty Green and filmed in South Australia, produced by the Academy Award-winning company See-Saw Film. It concludes with “My Name’s Ben Folds – I Play Piano,” directed by Scott Hicks and supported by the Adelaide Film Festival’s Investment Fund.
South Australia’s reputation as a hub for film and television production is on the rise, with an increasing number of major international projects finding a home in the state.
In addition to the investment in the Adelaide Film Festival, the government has allocated an extra $5.2 million to support a partnership between the South Australian Film Corporation and the ABC.
This partnership ensures a continuous stream of high-quality Australian television production in South Australia. Moreover, steps have been taken to secure the Mercury Cinema, a vital platform for emerging South Australian filmmakers as it transitions to a new business model.
Adelaide Film Festival
When: October 18 – 29
Where: Various
More info: https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/
More News
