On Friday the 26th October 2007 the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) celebrates its 35th birthday. The oldest state film agency in Australia, the SAFC was established under Premier Don Dunstan in 1972 and played a crucial part in the rejuvenation of the Australian film industry.
During this era, the SAFC produced some of the classics of Australian cinema such as Breaker Morant, Storm Boy, The Club and Sunday Too Far Away and was involved with others like Picnic At Hanging Rock, and Gallipoli. In recent times the SAFC has been associated with the acclaimed Rabbit Proof Fence, AFI Award winning Look Both Ways, the commercial hit Wolf Creek, which to date has grossed over $50 million worldwide and Cannes Special Jury prize winner Ten Canoes. This is not to mention the multitude of award winning short films, documentaries and digital media projects that it has backed over the years.
Throughout its history, the SAFC has been linked with such legendary Australian actors as Mel Gibson, David Gulpilil, Hugo Weaving, Bud Tingwell, Toni Collette, Colin Friels and Russell Crowe, as well as a younger generation of actors including Jacqueline McKenzie, Justine Clark, Sam Worthington, Emma Lung, Teresa Palmer, Nathan Phillips and Pia Miranda. The SAFC has been involved with productions that have lured such high calibre international actors as Edward Woodward, Robert Carlyle, Sam Neill, Kenneth Branagh and Daniel Radcliffe to our shores, and has enjoyed relationships with such luminary directors as Rolf de Heer, Peter Weir, Scott Hicks, Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce, Paul Cox and Gillian Armstrong.
SA is home to a host of established local talent such as directors Scott Hicks (Shine, No Reservations), Rolf de Heer (Ten Canoes, Bad Boy Bubby), Mario Andreacchio (Napoleon, Elephant Tales), Craig Lahiff (Black and White) and documentary director Mike Piper (Opal Fever), producers Mark Patterson (Human Touch, Innocence) and Helen Leake (Heaven’s Burning) and a number of emerging screen practitioners.
The SAFC is committed to developing local writers, directors and producers and the industry generally and continues to support projects that are proving successful with local audiences, international broadcasters and on the world stage at high profile film festivals.
‘The SAFC has a long and impressive history and continues to support some really remarkable work across the different formats and mediums – its legacy is second to none,’ said Richard Harris, SAFC CEO. ‘It is a very interesting time for the SAFC with the production landscape undergoing such incredible transformation, and the recently announced federal tax incentives creating a new paradigm for production. I’m looking forward to leading the SAFC into what promises to be an exciting future.’
Chair of the SAFC Cheryl Bart said, ‘What the SAFC has achieved in the past 35 years has been nothing less than extraordinary. Not only have we been involved with many classic Australian films, we are supporting projects that are being distributed, screened and enjoyed by audiences all over the world.’
Minster for the Arts, Premier Mike Rann said, ‘For 35 years the SAFC has been supporting and developing local production, telling local stories, attracting international and interstate production and creating opportunities for our excellent South Australian crew. Recent levels of production suggest that the local screen industry is thriving and has a vibrant future.’
The SAFC will hold an industry function to honour the milestone later in the year.
[release from the SAFC]