[press release from NTFO]
Territory based director Warwick Thornton’s feature film Samson & Delilah is set to premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival this Friday, 20 February 2009.
Northern Territory Film Office (NTFO) Director Penelope McDonald said the Northern Territory Government had provided a $20 000 grant to assist with the post production costs for Samson & Delilah, the Territory’s first home grown feature since Yolgnu Boy was produced in 2000.
“Samson & Delilah has received a lot of national and international interest, and to premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival, which will feature 130 films from 49 countries and attracts key industry members is great exposure for the film,” Ms McDonald said.
Samson & Delilah tells the story of two Aboriginal teenagers in a remote community and features local Alice Springs teenagers Marissa Gibson and Rowan McNamara.
Warwick Thornton worked as a cinematographer for the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and attended the Australian Film Television and Radio School, with his credits as a cinematographer including the feature film Radiance and the recently televised series, The First Australians, and as a director on short films including Mimi, Green Bush and Nana.
“Samson & Delilah completed principal photography in Alice Springs in June, and saw a number of locals working on the production including sound recordist David Tranter,” Ms McDonald said.
“We are delighted to be able to support Samson & Delilah with a grant to assist with the costs of post production.
“The production has spent more than $500 000 in the Territory.”
Samson & Delilah will premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival on 20 February 2009, and Territorians will have the opportunity to see it when it opens in cinemas nationally in April 2009.