Loading

The 71st Sydney Film Festival begins

5 Jun 2024

The 71st Sydney Film Festival begins

The 71st Sydney Film Festival (5-16 June) opened tonight at the State Theatre with the World Premiere of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line.

Festival Director Nashen Moodley opened the Festival to a packed auditorium including Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line director Paul Clarke and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett.

Sydney Film Festival Board Chair, Darren Dale said, “I am delighted to welcome everyone to the 71st edition of the Sydney Film Festival. It’s a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in stories and experiences from all over the world and in doing so, perhaps understand each other just a little bit better.

“This year I am especially thrilled with the addition of the world’s biggest prize for First Nations filmmaking, cementing our global standing as supporters of First Nations storytelling.

“Beyond that, the selection of films this year is outstanding and there is truly something for everyone. I look forward to seeing you there and revelling in the very best of world cinema.”

Minister for the Arts, John Graham said, “The Sydney Film Festival is the highlight of the year for film lovers. It brings the film community together to experience the most exciting films in Australia and the world.

“Every year the festival pulls together an invigorating program that allows us to discover stories that are reflective of contemporary Australia, and explore new world views, through the cinema screen.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate all of the filmmakers whose stories will captivate Sydney for the next 11 days.”

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore said, “Welcome to the 71st Sydney Film Festival! Film has an unrivalled ability to take us to other worlds and other lives, and to give us new and unexpected insights.

"The City of Sydney has proudly sponsored this Festival for the past three decades, because we know that a thriving arts industry is essential for a global city. I hope you enjoy this rich and diverse program.”

The Hardest Line tells Midnight Oil’s trailblazing story for the first time ever on film. Featuring newly unearthed interviews with every band member, unseen live and studio footage, alongside signature moments like the outback tour with Warumpi Band, their Exxon protest gig in New York and those famous “Sorry” suits at the Sydney Olympics, the film traces the singular journey of Australia’s quintessential rock band across their 45-year career. Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line is written and directed by Paul Clarke, produced by Carolina Sorensen, and executive produced by Mikael Borglund, Paul Clarke and Martin Fabinyi.

Guests for the Opening Night Gala included: Cathy Freeman, April Rose Pengilly, Nash Edgerton, Benedict Wall, Matt Day, Claudia Karvan, Damian Walshe-Howling, Tai Hara, Julian Maroun, Kieran Darcy-Smith, Ed Oxenbould and Danielle Cormack.

The full Sydney Film Festival 2024 program can be found online at sff.org.au.

Sydney Film Festival runs from 5-16 June 2024. Tickets and Flexipasses to Sydney Film Festival 2024 are on sale now. Please call 1300 733 733 or visit sff.org.au for more information or to book.

Stay up to date with Sydney Film Festival: eNews, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Matt Fraser, Director of Communications
E: matt@originalspin.com.au M: 0401 326 007

Sanika Karnik, Communications Advisor
E: sanika@originalspin.com.au M: 0466 635 010

Amber Forrest-Bisley, OS Director
E: amber@originalspin.com.au P: 8065 7363 M: 0405 363 817

***Sydney Film Festival Press Pack and Images Available HERE

EDITOR’S NOTES

From Wednesday 5 to Sunday 16 June 2024, the 71st Sydney Film Festival offers Sydneysiders another exciting season of cinema amidst a whirlwind of premieres, red-carpet openings, in-depth discussions, film guests and more.

Sydney Film Festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals. For more information visit sff.org.au.

The 71st Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW and Destination NSW, the Federal Government through Screen Australia and the City of Sydney.

ALL ASSETS FROM THE DESTINATION NSW MEDIA CENTRE ARE FOR EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY AND MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.


For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

REGISTER
NOW

Access assets curated for media and content creators.

For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

Already have an account?

Permission Request


Destination NSW wants to access your Destination NSW Media Centre account.


This application will:

  • View your basic account information
  • View your email address
  • View your phone number, if provided
  • View your street address, if provided
  • View basic information about your organization, if provided
  • View your site usage
  • View your asset download activity

This access will help Destination NSW manage copyright owner rights, provide you with digital assets, keep you updated with new information and improve your user experience.


Do you agree to allow this access? If yes, click the REGISTER button.


You can unsubscribe at any time.

CAPTCHA
1 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Permission Request

Destination NSW wants to review your registration for your Destination NSW Media Centre account.

This review will:

  • View your basic account information
  • View your email address
  • View your basic information about your organisation, if provided
  • View your site usage
  • View your asset download activity

This will assist Destination NSW manage copyright owner rights, provide you with digital assets, keep you updated with new information and improve your user experience.


By clicking REGISTER, you agree that you have read and agree to the TERMS & CONDITIONS and Destination NSW's PRIVACY POLICY


You can unsubscribe at any time.