By Simon de Bruyn
A strong line-up of Australian features has been announced as part of the 2009 Sydney Film Festival program.
Rachel Ward’s debut feature Beautiful Kate and Khoa Do’s new film Missing Water will join previously announced Disgrace in Official Competition.
Other Australian features screening in the program are David Caesar’s Prime Mover, Australian-Israeli animation $9.99, Glendyn Ivin’s anticipated debut feature Last Ride and Van Diemen’s Land.
The news was announced this morning at Dendy Opera Quays in Sydney.
Two films shot in Sydney, Lebanese drama Cedar Boys and Tribeca entrant Accidents Happen, are also in the festival.
Restored classic Wake in Fright will also screen, following its triumphant return to the Cannes Film Festival. The film’s director Ted Kotcheff is a guest of the festival.
As part of the Australian documentary program Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s doco Bastardy will screen, along with his doco-drama hybrid Cicada, which is the only Aussie short film in Cannes this year.
Other local documentaries are Shadowplay, Contact, The Burning Season, A Fortunate Soldier, Meet me at the Mango Tree, My Asian Heart, and Stolen, along with Adelaide Film Festival hits, Salt, Yes Madam Sir, and A Good Man.
Rowan Woods’ long-delayed American feature Winged Creatures will also screen.
The 2009 Sydney Film Festival will run June 3 to 14. For the full program, check out the SFF website.
pics: David Caesar’s Prime Mover (above); Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s Cicada (below)