Australia on Screen 2011: Taste of Multicultural Australian Film

Celebrated Indonesian actress and producer Christine Hakim and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty will launch the latest Australian Embassy Film Festival Australia on Screen 2011 in Jakarta today.

“I am delighted we are able to celebrate Australia Day with the launch of such an exciting line-up of Australian films, demonstrating Australia’s cultural and artistic innovation and talent. It is a great honour to also acknowledge Christine Hakim being recently awarded the APSA 2010 FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film at the recent Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony in Australia. The award was a fitting reminder of the exceptional work and progress she has achieved over the years in Indonesian film,” Mr Moriarty said.

Held at Blitzmegaplex, Grand Indonesia from 26-28 January 2011, the Festival features award-winning Australian films that present film reflecting the country’s unique blend of established Indigenous traditions and new influences.

Opening with the internationally acclaimed Bran Nue Dae, loosely based on the musical with the same name and directed by prominent Australian director Rachel Perkins and producers Robyn Kershaw and Graeme Isaac, the star studded cast includes among others, renowned singer Jessica Mauboy, Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush and Indigenous Australian actor Rocky McKenzie.

Robyn Kershaw and Rocky McKenzie have both been hosted by the Australian Embassy and the West Australian Government to come to Indonesia to promote Bran Nue Dae and the film festival. During their visit they will participate in a number of workshops with Indonesian film professionals and film students and be exposed to Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and how different cultures are reflected through film.

The festival will also feature the films Jindabyne, Radiance, Lantana, Mary and Max, Looking for Alibrandi and Ned Kelly.

Australia on Screen 2011 is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with the Australia International Cultural Council and Screen Australia with support from the Government of Western Australia.

For free tickets and festival information visit www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au or contact (021) 2550 5400 / [email protected].

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 936 302