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Australian films go bush
Audiences in regional Australia have a rare opportunity to experience some of the country's new and critically acclaimed recent films and classic favourites with the Big Screen 2003 Travelling Australian Film Festival.
The festival showcases Australian films such as Alexandra's Project and Horseplay, as well as award winners Walking on Water,Beneath Clouds, Till Human Voices Wake Us and The Tracker at 15 regional centres around Australia in 2003.
Big Screen 2003 kicked off with a weekend of screenings during May at Echuca, Victoria. Senator Rod Kemp, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, launched the tour at Echuca's Paramount Cinemas on 3 May. Industry guests included Daryl Somers and representatives of Big Screen partners, the Australian Film Commission and ScreenSound Australia-the National Screen and Sound Archive.
The special gala night featured a preview of a restored working print of Australia's favourite silent film, The Sentimental Bloke (1919), with live accompaniment by acclaimed musician Jen Anderson (formerly of Weddings,Parties,Anything).
Following the launch in Echuca, Big Screen 2003 travelled to Yarram and Eaglehawk in Victoria, and Devonport in Tasmania. In the second half of 2003, events will be held in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales.
A highly successful three-day celebration of Australian cinema, Big Screen has travelled across regional and rural Australia during the last two years, visiting towns in every state from Albany to Albury and Darwin to Devonport. In 2003, new release Australian feature films share the screen with old favourites, shorts, home movies and newsreels, and restored classic silent films in cinemas old and new.
An entertaining archival program of newsreels, musical numbers, old cinema ads and travelogues compiled from ScreenSound Australia's extensive collection is included, with specially selected footage unique to each venue visited. More than 10 000 school children have already enjoyed the free screenings of classic Australian films such as
Storm Boy and The Man from Snowy River.
This groundbreaking national touring film festival is now in its third year and over the past two years has attracted more than 50 000 people at 39 festivals around the country. It continues to consolidate its national profile as a prestigious touring film event and each year an increasing number of individuals, regional councils, venues and film-makers contact the coordinators with inquiries about participating in the tour.
'Local audiences everywhere have been extremely appreciative of the range of films on offer and the chance to meet guests like Steve Bisley, Sybilla Budd, Chris Haywood, Deborah Mailman and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, who have all contributed to the excellence of Australian cinema,' said Big Screen Manager, Megan Buckley.
The level of regional partner sponsorship has been significant and continues to grow. It is clear from this enthusiastic involvement that regional communities value the festival enormously. Regional councils in particular have embraced Big Screen as a highly valued addition to their cultural calendar.
The Chief Executive of the Australian Film Commission, Kim Dalton, is enthusiastic in his support for Big Screen 2003. 'Australia produces world-class cinema that all Australians should be able to see and enjoy.'
Australian films released last year received critical acclaim and we are delighted to be able to bring some of these films to regional communities around the country who may not otherwise get a chance to see them,' Mr Dalton said.
Big Screen 2003 is a joint project between the Australian Film Commission and ScreenSound Australia, and is supported by the Australian Government. For the full Big Screen 2003 program, visit the website at www.screensound.gov.au/big screen.
Australian Film Commission and ScreenSound Australia join forces
Australian audiences will benefit from new arrangements integrating the Australian Film Commission (AFC) and ScreenSound Australia.
The new policy will provide greater opportunities for collecting, documenting, preserving Australia's audiovisual heritage as well as enhancing cultural activities for all Australians.
The AFC is the Australian Government's primary agency for supporting the development of film, television and interactive media projects and their creators. One of the AFC's key objectives is to support activities and events that provide the wider Australian community, including regional Australia, with access to Australian audiovisual product.
ScreenSound Australia-the National Screen and Sound Archive-is responsible for collecting, preserving, providing direct access to the National collection, and interpreting the Australian experience in audiovisual media. The influence of audiovisual content on our culture is immense and growing.
The synergies created by combining the resources of the AFC and ScreenSound Australia will improve their current educational and exhibition activities. It will also provide national leadership in enhancing access to, and understanding of, audiovisual culture.
Legislation has been introduced to facilitate the integration and, for the first time, give clear recognition in Commonwealth statute to the important work of collecting and preserving the nation's sound and visual heritage.