PRESS RELEASE
In an Australian first for a free-to-air broadcaster, SBS is offering Australian audiences the opportunity to watch over 100 films for free through SBS ON DEMAND this March. The Film Festival of 100 Clicks coincides with the relaunch of the SBS Movies website, and further cements SBS’s reputation as a champion of international cinema in Australia, and as a leader in multi-platform content delivery.
As part of the Film Festival of 100 Clicks, which runs from 1- 31 March 2014, viewers will have their pick of the best of international cinema, carefully selected from the extensive SBS film library. This is the first time a free-to-air Australian broadcaster has ever delivered an offering of this many titles online and for free.
Key to the success of this ‘virtual Film Festival’ is the flexibility and convenience offered to audiences by enabling them to watch the 100 films via the SBS ON DEMAND App, which is now available across 15 different platforms including a range of smart phones, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs and set-top boxes.
SBS Chief Digital Officer Marshall Heald said: “SBS has a long and celebrated history of being the destination for international and independent film in Australia, reaching back over 30 years, and we want to continue and strengthen this reputation.”
“We know that content is increasingly being consumed in diverse ways, with more and more Australians choosing to stream or download video content online. So we’re excited to be able to offer Australian audiences their first opportunity to access one hundred outstanding movies via SBS ON DEMAND, allowing viewers to watch the films when and where they choose. And we have some great content. One hundred films, across 15 platforms, within 30 days – that is sure to keep even the most committed film buff seriously busy.”
There is a diverse selection to suit just about every taste, from martial arts epics and high-octane action thrillers, to heart-warming French romantic comedies, to bold and provocative stories of human sexuality. Some of the stand-out titles include Biutiful, In a Better World, Boy, Beautiful Lies, Pusher, Let the Bullets Fly, Before Night Falls, the classic Three Colours Trilogy, Room in Rome, Let the Right One In, The Page Turner and The Disappearance of Alice Creed.
The films screening in the inaugural Film Festival of 100 Clicks will be grouped around recognisable themes and genres to make it accessible for all audiences, from seasoned film aficionados, to newcomers to international cinema. An online festival program guide will also help audiences navigate through the extraordinary range of films on offer.
SBS holds a unique place in the market, being able to offer film on free-to-air channels including SBS ONE, SBS 2, and NITV; Online and on mobile with the dedicated catch-up viewing service SBS ON DEMAND; and through its premium subscription channel World Movies.
SBS Movies (www.sbs.com.au/movies) also keeps film lovers in the loop with all the latest movie news, reviews and film festival coverage. The site has just been relaunched, as the latest step in a significant redevelopment of the SBS digital network, with a responsive framework that allows audiences to easily access the content they love on their chosen device, whenever they prefer.
For more information about the Film Festival of 100 Clicks, visit: www.sbs.com.au/100clicks