[Release by ScreenWest]
The Film & Television Institute (FTI) and the Fremantle Community Bank have won an Australian Business Arts Foundation (ABAF) Award for their commitment to small to medium business enterprises.
A fundraising partnership between FTI and the Fremantle Community Bank Branch of the Bendigo Bank, to build the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema in Fremantle, won the AbaF Award at the WA State AbaF Award Ceremony at the Perth Town Hall on Wednesday, September 3.
The National Australia Bank SME Award acknowledges outstanding commitment by small to medium business enterprises to partner arts organisations and assist with supporting cultural development within the community.
In October 2006, the Fremantle Community Bank joined with FTI to help raise funds to build the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema in the historic Princess May Park in Fremantle. In two years, the partnership has attracted 24 local business partners and donors to the campaign and raised a total of $70,350.
"The partnership with the Fremantle Community Bank has been fantastic and all our Bohemia partners and donors should also take credit for the AbaF award," said FTI CEO Graeme Sward.
"Outdoor cinemas are a very social way to enjoy screen culture and Bohemia adds to the cultural vibrancy of Freo that makes it such a great place to visit, live or work. We hope that by creating this new facility, it will contribute wider benefits for Fremantle businesses and the community" he said.