“Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line,” a documentary feature about the veteran Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has been set as the opening gala title at the Sydney Film Festival. It will have its world premiere at the State Theatre on June 5, kicking off the festival that runs until June 16. The film is written […]

Two new Australian films, both enjoying their world premiere, are among the first titles confirmed to play at the Sydney Film Festival in June. “In Vitro,” a sci-fi mystery thriller set on a remote cattle farm in the near future, hails from directors Will Howarth and Tom McKeith (“Beast”) and stars Ashley Zukerman (“Succession”). With […]

 

​

​10:30 am (Theatre 3)
Christopher Blauvelt (Saturday, March 23)
Location: Camelot Theatres
Details:   Cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt will discuss his life in the industry and ways in which he’s navigated a career in independent film.

​

Christopher Blauvelt is a third-generation film craftsman who combines his extensive experience with a fresh creative eye. A protégé of Harris Savides, Chris worked on with Harris on films for directors Noah Baumbach, David Fincher, Tom Ford, Spike Jonze and Gus Van Sant.  Chris’ work as a cinematographer includes Sofia Coppola’s edgy commentary on spoiled youth, "The Bling Ring", "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" for director Ned Benson, Jeff Preiss’ directorial debut "Low Down" for producers Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger, and Sundance awarded him Best Cinematography at the 2014 festival. "I Am Michael" for director Justin Kelly, premiered at Sundance in 2015, Chris lensed "Indignation", which is the directorial debut of Focus Features veteran James Schamus. In 2017 Chris was chosen by one of his lifelong mentors Gus Van Sant to shoot "Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far On Foot", based on the autobiography of the Portland Oregon native, and quadriplegic cartoonist John Callahan.  He then went on to shoot the directorial debut of Jonah Hill "Mid 90’s"  and Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy, with director Autumn De Wilde for Working Title and Focus Features.  Chris has a long working partnership with Kelly Reichardt, including "Meek’s Cutoff", "Night Move"s, "Certain Women" and "First Cow". Their newest film "Showing Up" was in the main competition at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2022.  Chris' most recent collaboration as cinematographer "May December" directed by Todd Haynes and produced by Killer Films is considered a multi-award nominated film.  The  most recent work in post production is “Hot Milk”
directed by renowned  screenwriter and playwright  Rebecca Lenkiewicz, starring Emma Mackey, Vicki Krieps and Fiona Shaw. In addition to his award at Sundance, Chris has been named by Variety and Indiewire as a “Top DP to Watch”.

​

10:15 am

(PANEL/WORKSHOP) THEATRE 3
Tea Lindeburg, Antonia Campbell Hughes (Monday, March 24)
Location: Camelot Theatres
Details:   These independent filmmakers will discuss their careers and the challenges of the film industry

Tea Lindeburg & Antonia Campbell Hughes

Tea is a Danish award winning writer/director who grew up in the Middle East, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.  Her debut feature As in Heaven was awarded two Silver Shells at San Sebastian Film Festival in 2021 (including Best Director) and the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at Göteborg Film Festival. Since its premiere it has travelled to more than 40 international festivals worldwide, including TIFF, Busan, BFI London, Rotterdam, EnergaCamerimage and Red Sea Film Festival, just to name a few. 

As in Heaven was nominated for 12 Danish Academy Awards. In 2022 she was selected as one of ten European women by the European Film Promotion (Europe! Voices of

 

 

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW FIRST NATIONS AWARD PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY TRUANT PICTURES WITH WORLD’S LARGEST CASH PRIZE FOR INDIGENOUS FILMMAKING

2024 SFF Film Submissions Close 01 March

Sydney Film Festival announces the launch of the First Nations Award, establishing the world's largest cash prize for Indigenous filmmaking at $35,000, proudly supported by Truant Pictures.

Open to First Nations filmmakers from across the globe, the First Nations Award celebrates the profound contributions of First Nations filmmakers to the cinematic landscape. Any film, including short films, featured within the Festival’s First Nations program automatically qualifies for consideration for the award, with the winner announced at the SFF Closing Night on 16 June.

Sydney Film Festival Chair Darren Dale said, “It is entirely fitting that the Sydney Film Festival, which for so long has been a champion of First Nations stories and storytellers from around the world, now offers the largest single cash prize for First Nations film, globally. This prize will inspire, motivate and reward established and emerging First Nations filmmakers with the promise that their art is important, is valued and will be seen. This extraordinary award has been made possible thanks to the generous and visionary leadership of Zareh and Ping Nalbandian and we are so grateful for this impactful gift.”

Festival Director Nashen Moodley, said, “The First Nations Award is more than a celebration of unique storytelling; it's a crucial investment in the future of Indigenous cinema. By offering this level of support, we hope to encourage more First Nations filmmakers to share their stories, enriching the film industry with diverse perspectives and voices. This award aligns seamlessly with Sydney Film Festival’s long-standing commitment to fostering cultural diversity and amplifying Indigenous narratives.”

Zareh Nalbandian, CEO/Producer Animal Logic Entertainment and Truant Pictures, said, “Ping and I are honoured to support the Sydney Film Festival’s First Nations Award through our independent Australian production company Truant Pictures. The Award speaks volumes about SFF’s mission to support global Indigenous voices and support diversity in storytelling.  We are excited to experience the rich tapestry of First Nations films and showcase these stories as part of the Festival in June.  We hope this elevation of Indigenous voices serves as a catalyst for fostering continued dialogue, bridging cultural gaps, and empowering First Nations voices worldwide.”

Filmmakers from across Australia and around the world have just weeks to finalise their submissions to become eligible for a record prize pool worth $200,000 at the 71st Sydney Film Festival, including the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize and the world’s largest environment film prize of $40,000 with the Sustainable Future Award.

The entry deadline for all film submissions, including those for the First Nations Awa