QUEENSLANDERS RATE LOCAL FILMS AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Premier and Minister for the Arts Anna Bligh today congratulated local film makers for their stunning contribution to this year’s St George Bank Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF).

With 104 feature films, including 23 Australian and world premieres, this year’s BIFF line-up welcomed guests from across Australia and the world.

“Locally made and produced films featured amongst the top sellers at the Festival as well as holding multiple spots in the Top 10 list as voted by audiences,” Ms Bligh said.

“Congratulations to Brisbane’s Phoebe Hart, in particular, for her film Orchids: My Intersex Adventure which was voted number one in the Showtime Top Ten.”

“It is fantastic to see this 11-day event, which ended Sunday, notch up another successful year of strong ticket sales and positive feedback from both the public and the film industry.”

The Premier said 2010 was a watershed year for BIFF with new festival dates and venues and a new team lead by Screen Queensland’s Head of Screen Culture Richard Moore.

“The scene is certainly set for BIFF’s 20^th anniversary next year.”

The Premier also congratulated the winners of the 2010 Chauvel Award, Alex Barnes and Justin Morrissey, for their Black Cockatoo – White Cockatoo project who were awarded a $15 000 Screen Queensland Development Prize.

The winners of the Brisbane City Council Queensland Short Film Competition–Kinetone Award for Pushbike (Jury’s Choice) and Futility as audience favourite were also commended by the Premier.

“There was also strong interest in the inaugural BIFF industry day which offered a chance to participate in the festival by attending sessions dedicated to film and television industry-specific topics,” Ms Bligh said.

“One of the industry day highlights was the Writers’ Room Showcase which offered a sneak peek of projects under development in Screen Queensland’s year-long Writers’ Room.”

The Bligh Government contributed $385,000 to Brisbane International Film Festival in 2010. For more information on the Brisbane International Film Festival visit: www.stgeorgebiff.com.au

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