Today the Sydney Film Festival launched the official 2009 program that will showcase some of the world's most dynamic and inspiring films. From 3-14 June, the festival program will include nine World premieres, three International and 86 Australian premieres along with a stunning array of gala screenings at Sydney's majestic State Theatre.

The Festival is inviting Sydneysiders to get off their couch and experience the real deal. Kicking off with Looking for Eric on Wednesday 3 June, direct from Competition at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.

Official Competition
The second year of SFF's Official Competition brings another selection of courageous, audacious and cutting-edge cinema to Sydneysiders. The 12 films in this year's line-up include three films direct from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival (Altiplano, Face and Opening Night film Looking for Eric) and three Australian films (Beautiful Kate, Disgrace and Missing Water). Two films are World premieres, one is an International premiere and nine will have their Australian premiere at the Sydney Film Festival. Supported by the Events NSW, the winning film receives a $60,000 cash prize (the largest cash award for film in Australia) generously provided by SFF Sponsor Hunter Hall Investment Management.

12 days of glamour, excitement and debate, the festival will host its Closing Night Gala on Sunday 14 June with the Australian Premiere of An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig (Italian For Beginners, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself) from a sparkling script by Nick Hornby and featuring Carey Mulligan in a break-out performance which caused Variety to comment 'you could almost swear you're watching Audrey Hepburn...'. The Closing Night screening will be preceded by the highly anticipated announcement of the Official Competition winner as well as the presentation of The Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films and the newly introduced 2009 FOXTEL Australian.

Now in its 56th year, making it one of the world's oldest film festivals, SFF will screen films in four venues across Sydney - State Theatre, Greater Union and Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The 56th Sydney Film Festival spools from Wednesday 3 June - Sunday 14 June 2009.
For more information visit www.sff.org.au