Press release from BAFF
The 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival opens this Thursday night 24th February with the not to be missed Gala of the year. The Vale Ale Opening Night Screening and Party will feature the world premiere of Mrs Carey's Concert, Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond’s documentary story about talent and courage, compliance and rebellion at a Sydney girls’ school. Mrs Carey's Concert is one of 14 projects that have received support through the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund (AFFIF). Judy Davis will be presented the 2011 Don Dunstan Award by the Premier of SA the Hon Mike Rann, following a testimonial given by Fred Schepisi.
Celebrity guests walking the Red Carpet will be Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Mike Rann, Judy Davis, legendary Cannes programmer Pierre Rissent, Sundance program director Trevor Groth, filmmakers Bob Connolly, Sophie Raymond, Rolf De Heer, Fred Schepisi, Sophie Hyde, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Bryan Mason, Dario Russo, Justin Kurzel, Tony Krawitz, Warwick Thornton, Beck Cole, Matt Bate, and artists Tracey Moffat, Susan Norrie and Lynette Wallworth, Adelaide Festival Director Paul Grabowsky, dance and theatre makers Michael Kantor, Rose Myers, Gary Stewart, Kate Champion and Meryl Tankard, Richard Harris (Executive Director, SAFC), Hettie Perkins (Curator Indigenous Art, Art Gallery of NSW), stuntman extraordinaire Grant Page, Lucas Pittaway and Daniel Henshall (stars of Snowtown), legendary US indie filmmaker John Sayles and special effects wizard Douglas Trumbull as well as the movers and shakers in Australia’s film industry including directors, producers and lots of up and coming talent.
Following the opening night screening, VIP’s, film festival and industry guests and the general public will celebrate together at the legendary Gala party at the Queen’s Theatre (Dress Code: Frock Up).
Be sure to take hold of this opportunity to let your hair down before settling into ten days of inspiring viewing.
The 2011 Festival will set Adelaide buzzing with 11 days of dynamic screenings, special events, workshops and forums with over 48,000 film lovers and filmmakers in attendance watching over 20 Australian world premieres and 55 Australian premieres. The 2011 festival closes with Brendan Fletcher’s Mad Bastards, a raw look at the journey to becoming a man in contemporary Aboriginal culture, hot on the heels of its Competition Screening at the Sundance Film Festival and the presentation of the Ten Evening News International Award for Best Feature Film.