Press Release from Screen Australia
Pusan International Film Festival has announced its program for 2009 and, in an Australian first, seven films have been selected. The festival, which takes place in Korea, has risen to prominence as the primary Asian launch pad for independent feature films, and is recognised as a key annual event on the festival circuit.
World Cinema, a section that presents highlights of recent films from new and established directors, will screen The Waiting City (d: Claire McCarthy), My Tehran for Sale (d: Granaz Moussavi), Last Ride (d: Glendyn Ivin), Balibo (d: Robert Connolly),Cannes hit Bright Star(d: Jane Campion) and feature claymation Mary and Max (d: Adam Elliot).
The Pusan invitation is the latest accolade for the films, which have already each attracted the attention of elite international festival programmers. Mary and Max opened the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Bright Star featured in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, while The Waiting City, My Tehran for Sale, Last Ride and Balibo are part of the 17-strong Australian line-up at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
The final film in selection is Coffin Rock, the feature film debut for director Rupert Glasson, which will screen as part of Midnight Passion – a section dedicated to genre films.
Running alongside the festival is the Pusan Promotion Plan, a pre-market where filmmakers and producers can meet with potential co-producers and financiers and, in turn, investors and co-producers can find a diverse selection of the latest top-quality Asian projects.
The 14th Pusan International Film Festival will run 8–16 October 2009. Over 350 films from 70 countries will screen throughout the nine-day event. The Pusan Promotion Plan will run 11–14 October 2009.