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Seventh Australian Film Festival unveiled in Manila and Cebu

11/07/2009

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Six critically-acclaimed films from Australia hit select cinemas in Manila and Cebu as the Australian Embassy presents its 7th Australian Film Festival in the Philippines from Nov. 5 to 14. The festival was opened by visiting Australian director Elissa Down.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the festival opened with a special screening of the award-winning 2008 film The Black Balloon. The film’s director, Elissa Down, visited Manila for the screening and will conduct master classes at the University of the Philippines Film Institute and Mowelfund Institute.

“Down’s visit will further strengthen ties between the Australian and Filipino film industries which have developed through the film festival and Cinemanila during the past few years, including through workshops for student film producers and directors conducted by visiting Australian actors and directors,” Smith said.

The Black Balloon, starring Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, About A Boy), follows the story of 15-year-old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) who tries to fit in his new life as his family moves to a new home while taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford) and nurturing a budding romance with new girlfriend Jackie (Australian supermodel and actress Gemma Ward). Charlie takes Thomas on an emotional journey in a story that is funny, confronting and ultimately heart-warming. The film was awarded the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear for best feature-length film in the Generation 14plus category and Australian Film Institute Awards for best direction, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, best film, best screenplay and best editing.

Also featured in this year’s festival are Unfinished Sky, a romantic drama about the nature of loss and the language of love; The Bank, a political thriller set in the world of high finance; the romantic comedy Danny Deckchair; Garage Days, a story about a teenager’s dream to be a rock star; and The Hard Word starring Guy Pearce and Golden Globe winner Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters).

“The Embassy is pleased to continue its tradition of providing Filipino moviegoers the opportunity to experience Australian film excellence and learn more about Australian popular culture, history and contemporary values,” Smith said.

The festival, which shows at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 3 from Nov. 5 to 8, and the Cinema 4, Ayala Center, Cebu, from Nov. 9 to 14, is presented by the Australian Embassy, Screen Australia, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt and Ayala Center Cebu. Partners include The Peninsula Manila, the Arts Council of Cebu, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, ETC, 2nd Avenue, and ClickTheCity.com.

For information on the film screenings and master classes, visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au.