Press release from Identity PR
The Dungog Film Festival, the world’s biggest showcase of Australian film, has announced at the official program launch event today the world première screenings of feature films Lou, Road Train and Surviving Georgia.
Lou, starring Academy Award nominated and BAFTA Award winning actor John Hurt, AFI Best Actress Award winner Emily Barclay and rising star, newcomer Lily Bell-Tindley, will open the Festival this year. Written and directed by Belinda Chayko, Lou is a tender and moving story about the relationship between 11-year-old Lou and her grandfather.
Another Dungog Gala world première, is the romantic comedy Surviving Georgia, starring Pia Miranda, Holly Valance, Caroline O’Connor, Shane Jacobson and Spencer McLaren (who also produced the film). The feature is co-directed by Sandra Sciberras and Kate Whitbread, the team behind the AFI Award winning The Caterpillar Wish.
Two further world premières secured are Road Train, a thriller directed by award-winning Dean Francis, starring Sophie Lowe, Xavier Samuel, Georgina Haig and Bob Morley and Braille a feature film directed and written by Matthew Chuang.
“We are so excited to present a stunning selection of Australian feature films, documentaries, shorts, Master Classes and In The Raw script reads this year. We have so many world premières in each category. Not only is Dungog about showcasing the very best of Aussie film, we are also proactive in supporting filmmakers and helping launch the careers of film and acting talent“ said co-founder and director, Allanah Zitserman.
Award winning Australian director Gillian Armstrong will attend the Festival and present a Master Class during her visit. Armstrong’s popular musical flick Starstruck will screen as part of the NFSA (National Film & Sound Archive) Aussie Classics program and will be followed by an in depth Q & A session.
The program has also expanded to include a Television side bar, with two script reads confirmed for Festival audiences – Snap written by Andy Muir, and Twinkle Twinkle written by Jasmin Forbes-Watson and Leone Carey. TV pilot Not Available, based on a once-famous actor who takes up work at a call centre, will also have its world première screening at the festival.
NSW Mining is Dungog Film Festival’s Principal Presenting sponsor and will continue its valuable support once again this year.
“Our sponsorship is an investment in the economic future and social fabric of the Hunter Valley, bringing cutting edge culture to the region and another platform for local business to develop a more diverse economy that will continue to prosper. We are about ensuring that the Hunter community has a thriving arts and cultural scene: it’s a barometer of the strength of the region”, said Dr Nikki Williams, CEO, NSW Minerals Council.
The Dungog Film Festival is on the Premier’s master calendar and Events NSW is a Strategic Partner. Mr. Ian Macdonald, Minister for Major Events said:
“There is no doubt that the Dungog Film Festival plays a vital role in driving tourism, creating jobs and delivering major economic benefits to the Dungog community. The Keneally Government is serious about supporting events in regional areas of NSW. That’s why it is important to fund great events such as the Dungog Film Festival enjoyed by over 11 000 people.”
Now in its fourth year, the Dungog Film Festival will run over a four-day weekend from 27-30 May 2010. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.au.