Media Release
8 March 2019
Festival Sinema Australia Indonesia returns for its fourth year this month to bring the best films from Australia and Indonesia to audiences in Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and, for the first time this year, Bandung and Mataram, Lombok.
A wide selection of Australian and Indonesian films will be screened for free at this year’s festival, including a selection of short films featured at Flickerfest, Australia’s world-renowned short film festival.
The festival will open with the Indonesian premiere of Ladies in Black, a film set in 1959 that shows the early days of Australia’s transformation into the multicultural country it is today and the rise of women’s liberation in society.
A documentary about one of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous artists, GURRUMUL, will also feature in this year’s festival.
The documentary’s director and writer, Paul Damien Williams, will attend the festival and greet film enthusiasts in Jakarta and Mataram with the support of the festival’s ongoing partner Qantas.
Other Australian titles that will be screened include the family drama Storm Boy, the alien science fiction thriller Occupation, and the documentary feature about an Indigenous women’s choir The Song Keepers.
Back by popular demand, the festival’s line-up also includes work by Indonesian Australian alumni, including the modern classics Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? and Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 from producer Mira Lesmana, who is also this year’s Sahabat FSAI.
Audiences will also get a chance to see the award-winning film by Kamila Andini, The Seen and Unseen.
“Australians and Indonesians share a love of the visual, especially film,” Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Gary Quinlan, said.
“It is one of the best mediums to foster greater understanding about other countries and cultures. Festival Sinema Australia Indonesia 2019 offers a unique window into contemporary Australia.”
FSAI 2019 is supported by Australia now ASEAN, an Australian Government initiative to celebrate Australian innovation, creativity and lifestyle in Southeast Asia throughout 2019.
Tickets to all screenings are free and available at fsai2019.eventbrite.com.
Media Enquiries: Ian Gerard 021 2550 5290