30 March 2016 PA-CN/16/11
Australian Film Showcase in Hyderabad
Australian Consul-General for South India, Mr Sean Kelly, today announced the launch of the inaugural Australian Film Showcase Initiative in Hyderabad from 1-10 April 2016. The initiative aims to build links between the film industries in Australia and South India and bring Australian films to a broad audience in South India.
"I'm delighted to announce that the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai will organise the first ever Australian Film Showcase in Hyderabad from 1-10 April" said Mr Kelly. "Following a very successful Showcase event in Chennai in June 2015, the Hyderabad Showcase is next in a series of such Australian film related events that will happen in the coming years in South India."
"I am acutely aware that the vibrant Telugu film industry produces more number of films than Bollywood including many of the nation's biggest budget and successful films" said Mr Kelly on the choice of Hyderabad as a destination for the Film Showcase.
The Australian Film Showcase events will comprise an exclusive Red Carpet event for select film, business and government invitees on 1 April 2016 and the screening of 10 Australian films open to the public free of charge at PVR Cinemas, Forum Sujana Mall from 2-10 April 2016.
The films include Australian classics such as the original Mad Max (1979) with Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman's first major feature film- Paperback Hero (1999) and modern entertainers such as Red Dog (2011) and The Dressmaker (2015) starring Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving.
"The Australian film industry is strong, producing high quality domestic films, contributing to many more international projects (particularly for Hollywood) and exploring a wealth of talent- including actors, directors, cinematographers and special effects artists" commented Mr Kelly on the vibrancy of the Australian film industry. "Australians have won 43 Oscars from 154 nominations and actors such as Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett are only a few of the army of Australian acting talent found in many major Hollywood productions."
Two veteran Australian filmmakers- Ms Robyn Kershaw and Mr David Redman will also be participating in the Australian Film Showcase events in Hyderabad in an effort to promote dialogue and partnership between the South Indian film industries and the Australian film industry.
"I hope that this Australian Film Showcase will highlight the strength and capacities that the Australian film industry has to offer and that this initiative will help build the foundation for strong ties between Australia and South India in film" said Mr Kelly
The Australian Film Showcase initiative in Hyderabad is supported by SAE Institute, Tourism Australia, Australian Alumni Association (Hyderabad) , Park Hyatt Hyderabad and PVR Cinemas.
For more information visit http://chennai.consulate.gov.au
Australian Film Showcase 2-10 April, PVR Cinemas, Forum Sujana Mall
Complimentary passes available for members of the public at Box office, PVR Cinemas, Forum Sujana Mall on the day of the screening. Advance reservation is not available.