TORRES STRAIT TO FEATURE AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Townsville actor Vicki Saylor is bound for France this week to attend and perform at the prestigious 29th International Women Directors’ Festival, Minister for Women Margaret Keech announced today.

The Beattie Government has supported Vicki’s quest to take Queensland Indigenous culture to an international audience by providing $3879 in sponsorship for the trip.

“Vicki is a well-known Torres Strait Islander, cultural ambassador and now an actor,” Mrs Keech said.

“She will be rubbing shoulders with some of the best filmmakers around as well as showcasing the rich cultural diversity that we have here in Queensland.”

Vicki makes her acting debut in Call Me Mum which has been selected for screening at the festival – one of the largest and oldest of its kind.

Vicki stars and sings in the film, directed by Margot Nash, and plans to perform traditional stories while attending the festival.

Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds congratulated Vicki on being invited to attend the festival, saying the film’s rich Torres Strait Islander culture would be an important addition to this year’s showreel.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for a Torres Strait actor to represent this important film in such a way that these stories can receive the exposure they deserve,” Mr Reynolds said.

“While in France, Vicki will also take the opportunity to promote and market the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre, where she works, and develop its networks and global links.”

Vicki said she was honoured to receive the State Government’s support to share her Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal culture with a new audience.

“I am honoured,” she said. “I am a true blue Aussie – an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander,”

“A lot of people know a little bit about Aboriginal culture and I just think this is a wonderful opportunity for the rest of the world to hear about Torres Strait Islander culture as well.”

Media contacts: Minister’s Office - Jo Gibbons 3224 2007

Vicki Saylor - 0406 126 882