F.Y.I.

Wayne Blair announced as keynote at Sydney Film School Festival

The Sydney Film School will host its festival with The Sapphires director Wayne Blair as keynote speaker for the event. Previous speakers at the event include Bruce Beresford, George Miller and Phillip Noyce.

The announcement:

Sydney Film School announces that the 16th Sydney Film School Festival will take place 11 and 12 July with Wayne Blair, director of ‘The Sapphires’, featuring as the keynote speaker for the event. Blair will speak at the Awards Screening Night taking place on Thursday July 12th (7pm start) at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington.

Wayne Blair’s debut feature film ‘The Sapphires’ recently had its world premiere at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival receiving a lengthy standing ovation. The Sapphires (screening nationally from August 9th) is about an all-girl Aboriginal singing group who tour Vietnam during the war as Australia’s answer to The Supremes.

Blair is also known for his work on the other side of the camera as an actor and writer across theatre, film and television. He is currently writing with Blackfella Films on the second series of ‘Redfern Now’ commissioned for the ABC.

Key note speakers are invited by Sydney Film School to present at each festival and are known for their ability to inspire passion and for their insight into the realities of the film culture of Australia. Previous speakers include  renowned Australian directors Gillian Armstrong (Oscar and Lucinda, Charlotte Gray), Phillip Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence), Bruce Beresford (Mao’s Last Dancer, Driving Miss Daisy), George Miller (Happy Feet, Babe), Bob Connolly (Mrs Carey’s Concert) and actor Barry Otto (Strictly Ballroom).

Over two full days, the Sydney Film School festival will present more than 50 short films (dramas and documentaries) produced by the school’s students, hold an awards ceremony, a pitch competition and feature special guests.

30 emerging filmmakers will launch into the film industry following in the footsteps of successful alumni whose films have screened at festivals worldwide, gained industry recognition through numerous awards and secured television distribution deals.

Event Details
Date:  11 and 12 July
Venue: Chauvel Cinema (Cnr Oxford St and Oatley Road, Paddington)
Time: From 11am each day.
Awards Screening Night RSVP: festival@sydneyfilmschool.com by 6 July, 2012

The Sydney Film School Festival is free and open to the public. Reservations are required for the Awards Screening Night.

Source: Sydney Film School press release

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