Opening Night last Friday for the Sydney Film Festival was a sparkling affair Sparkle was the official theme, and Pink Diamond specialist Mondial Neuman the sponsor) with the Festival's first ever Red Carpet reception (thanks to Premier Technologies and hosted by this publication's Andrew L.
Urban) described by Jane Campion as "a bit too Hollywood" for her liking, but she recalled with pleasure the high drama and big response to the festival screening of her highly acclaimed, Angel At My Table.

Thomas Keneally and his film producer daughter Jane, musician/composer Iva Davis, other local international guests like Nathalie Press and Emily Blunt (stars of opening night film, My Summer Of Love) and the public all mingled on the Red Carpet as they shuffled their way into the grand auditorium of Sydney's State Theatre to hear opening speeches and welcomes.

Festival President Cathy Robinson introduced new artistic director Lynden Barber hosting his first fest, and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore made a short and positive speech about the importance of the event. But it Deputy NSW Premiere Dr Andrew Refshauge's supposedly upbeat address that caused frowns of confusion when he seemed to dismiss Australia's film industry woes with references to strong global trends, and referred to the growing success of documentaries "like Fahrenheit 5/11". He also confused the audience with references to the ongoing strength of the local industry thanks to sponsors - referring to the festival sponsors, one assumes.

The film itself, a BAFTA winning coming of age comedy by talented directed Pawel Pawlikowsky, was warmly received, as were the two visiting stars.

The opening party, held for the first time at the spacious Art Gallery of NSW, finally got the details right, with enough elbow room, plenty to eat and drink and the absence of blaring music allowing and encouraging plenty of conversation amongst the 900 guests.

The 52nd Sydney Film Festival will end on June 25 with the Australian premiere of Howl's Moving Castle by Japan's Hayao Miyazaki, following the presentation of the FIPRESCI Award, the Dendy Awards and the six trophies in the inaugural Urban Cinefile Audience Awards (Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short in each of the State theatre program and the sidebar program).


Andrew L. Urban