Sydney Film Festival runs from Friday June 10 – Saturday June 25, 2005.

Sydney Film Festival (SFF) Artistic Director Lynden Barber today heralded a new era for the Festival when he presented his inaugural program with the announcement of new venues, new red carpet events, new ticketing options and interactive filmmaker forums.

Joined by NSW Minister for Tourism, Sandra Nori and SFF President Cathy Robinson, Lynden said his first program was all about diversity, not only reflected in the selection of films but in the range of events that will play out across the Festival.

The SFF is about more than just going to a bunch of movies, it’s a special event, a celebration of cinema through social events, gala premiere screenings, filmmaking presentations and live performances.

“This year we are making all those experiences even more accessible by introducing new venue partners that go a long way towards breaking the mould for SFF,” Lynden said.

SFF has added a new venue to the 2005 program with George Street Cinemas joining existing venues the Art Gallery of NSW, Dendy Opera Quays, The Studio at Sydney Opera House and Festival Central, the majestic State Theatre.

The 2005 Festival will open in sparkling Sydney style on Friday June 10 with the Australian premiere of the BAFTA winning British film My Summer of Love followed by a glamorous after party at the Art Gallery of NSW.

The SFF 2005 program includes more than 170 films from over 39 countries with focus strands covering as diverse as sport, rock ‘n’ roll, new Asian cinema, thrills and chills, red hot docos, visionary film-makers and the best of the latest British and Argentine cinema.

Organisers announced a wider variety of ticketing options available this year including the hugely successful Flexi-Pass, introduced at the 2004 Festival, will now be available in books 30 tickets as well as in books of 10 and 20. In 2005, the Festival will introduce the Mini Day Pass, the smartest way to see the very best of contemporary world cinema at The State Theatre.

The increased venue and ticketing options are expected to attract an even bigger audience, breaking last year’s attendance record of 132,500 people over the two weeks.