The 61st Sydney Film Festival opened
The 61st Sydney Film Festival opened last night at the State Theatre with the Australian Premiere of 20,000 Days on Earth, an innovative film about international cultural icon Nick Cave.
SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley was pleased to open his third Festival to a packed auditorium including the film’s directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. The film’s subject, Nick Cave, welcomed audiences in a video message.
NSW Minister for the Arts Troy Grant spoke at the Opening Night Gala, saying, “Tonight is the beginning of a twelve-day celebration of culture and community, brought together by film – an art form for everyone. Beginning this evening, Sydney will come alive with film screenings showcasing the best in cinema from Australia and around the world.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis also spoke, welcoming audiences to experience the Festival Hub at Town Hall, which presents a packed program of talks, exhibitions, performances and over 25 free events from Thursday 5 – Sunday 15 June.
SFF Opening Night is presented by Audi. The Audi Managing Director, Andrew Doyle said, “Through sponsoring Sydney Film Festival we get access to some of this country’s, and indeed the world’s best cinema. It also gives us the chance to thank the community for supporting our continued sales growth here in Australia.”
20,000 Days on Earth will screen in SFF’s Official Competition. Now in its seventh year, the SFF Official Competition awards a $60,000 cash prize in recognition of the most courageous, audacious and cutting-edge film from the 12 features selected. The winning film will be announced on Sunday 15 June.
Also in attendance: SFF Patrons Jane Campion, Jan Chapman and Gillian Armstrong, SFF Official Competition Jury President Rachel Perkins; and fellow jury members Rachael Blake, Oh Jungwan and Khalo Matanabe.
A long list of SFF 2014 filmmakers also attended, including; Josh Lawson, The Little Death director; Matt Day, Touch actor; Gracie Otto, The Last Impressario director; Darlene Johnson, The Redfern Story director; Darren Dale, The Redfern Story, producer; Fred Schepisi Words and Pictures director; Jasmilla Zbanic, For Those Who Can Tell No Tales director; Eddie Martin, All This Mayhem director; Tas Pappas, All This Mayhem subject; Kasimir Burgess, Fell director; Guy Heeley, Locke director; Janine Hosking 35 Letters director; Amin Palangi, Love Marriage in Kabul director; Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Ruin co-director; Kath Shelper, Tender producer; Kitty Green, Ukraine Is Not a Brothel director; Nick Torrens, China’s 3Dreams director; Nicole O’Donohue, The Last Impresario producer; Penny Chapman, Devil’s Playground producer; Rachel Ward and Tony Krawitz, Devil’s Playground co-directors; Nick Torrens, China’s 3 Dreams director; and Sophia Turkiewicz, Once My Mother director.
Sydney Film Festival runs for 12 days from Wednesday 4 June and screens over 190 films across nine venues including the magnificent State Theatre. Over 100 filmmaker guests attend the Festival to take part in talks, panels and Q&As. For the most up-to-date information on screenings and guests visit sff.org.au
