Sydney Film Festival launches new Audience Awards with Urban Cinefile
52nd SFF, June 10 – 25, 2005:

Sydney Film Festival President Cathy Robinson has welcomed the establishment of the Sydney Film Festival Urban Cinefile Audience Awards - a new awards program that will further enhance the profile of Australia’s premiere film event internationally.

The Urban Cinefile Audience Awards comprises six categories across the two main Festival streams – World Cinema and the Sidebar Programs.
“The Urban Cinefile Audience Awards will formalise the voting process, rationalising the variances between venues and bring the Festival in line with an internationally recognised format that will give winning filmmakers added prestige,” said Cathy.
“We are thrilled to have Australia’s award-winning online film magazine, Urban Cinefile, as our inaugural presenting partners for the restructured awards program.“

Urban Cinefile Editors Andrew L. Urban and Louise Keller are delighted to support their home city festival in a meaningful way.
“We believe that lifting the profile of the audience awards at the SFF will create a strong focal point for audiences and of course the filmmakers. The Urban Cinefile Audience Awards will create a sense of occasion, adding kudos to the winning films and their makers and become an added attraction for them to consider the SFF as a platform for their films.
“And not least, it gives everyone involved a reason to celebrate excellence in filmmaking from around the world,” said Andrew.
The Sydney Film Festival Urban Cinefile Audience Award, a specially designed trophy etched with the details of the award winning film, and branded with the new Sydney Film Festival logo, will be presented to winners or their representatives in a ceremony on June 25, 2005, the last night of the Festival.

2005 Sydney Film Festival Urban Cinefile Audience Awards
Best Feature – World Cinema / Best Feature – Sidebar Program
Best Documentary – World Cinema / Best Documentary – Sidebar Program
Best Short – World Cinema / Best Short – Sidebar Program
The 52nd Sydney Film Festival will showcase some of the world’s most creative, controversial and cutting edge filmmaking. The full program 10-25 June 2005 will be available from Monday 16 may at www.sydneyfilmfestival.org. Ticketing enquiries+61 2 9280 0611.

Urban Cinefile, launched in February 1997, is Australia's pre-eminent online movie magazine and winner of the 1998 Australian Financial Review ‘Best Arts & Entertainment Site’ Internet Award. It was again judged among the top three Entertainment sites in the 2000 Awards (last held). www.urbancinefile.com.au