BAFF CONGRATULATES SAMSON AND DELILAH

The BAFF is proud to be associated with the film Samson and Delilah via its Investment Fund and congratulates director Warwick Thornton and producer Kath Shelper on winning the Camera d’Or for Best First Feature Film at the Cannes Film Festival. This follows its screening to a standing ovation in the UN Certain Regard section of the festival and a warm reception by international critics.

2009 WRAP-UP

The 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival wrapped on Sunday the 1st of March after 11 exciting days.

The winner of the 2009 NATUZZI International Award for Best Feature Film was TREELESS MOUNTAIN (USA/SOUTH KOREA) with director So-yong Kim receiving a cash prize of $AUD25,000.

Announcing the jury’s decision, Jury Pressident Laurence Kardish said, 'After viewing and discussing several strong films in the international competition, the Natuzzi jury awards TREELESS MOUNTAIN by So-yong Kim for its integrity, intensity and humanity... Rich in its observation of the tensions and humour of everyday life, TREELESS MOUNTAIN is distinguished also by its performances, particularly, the two young girls who play sisters...;

Responding to the news, So-yong Kim said "Filmmaking is a collaborative medium. So, on behalf of everyone who helped make Treeless Mountain we are very honored to receive this award from The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival. Thank you very much!"

The 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival is delighted to announce three Australian films as winners of the BigPond Audience Awards with the brilliant SAMSON AND DELILAH directed by Warwick Thornton scooping the Best Feature Award. THE CAT PIANO by Eddie White and Ari Gibson has won Best Short Film and YES MADAM, SIR by Megan Doneman was voted Best Documentary.

Justin Milne, Group Managing Director Telstra Media said, 'The calibre of the films at the 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival was exceptional and we are delighted to recognise the very deserving winners, SAMSON AND DELILAH, THE CAT PIANO and YES MADAM, SIR, in this way.'

Responding to the news, Warwick Thornton said, 'It's a beautiful day! To have our film embraced by the audience in Adelaide is such a gorgeous reward for all the Samsons and Delilahs in the world.'

Producer Kath Shelper said, 'The experience of BigPond Adelaide Film Festival was such a buzz for us and our cast and crew, and to receive the audience recognition like this is just very sweet icing on the cake.'

Over 11 days, the 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival presented twenty two world premieres, including nine features and three documentary features, 62 Australian premieres and 143 films from 49 different countries screened.

Additionally, there were 6 forums, one 2 day Art & the Moving image symposium, 4 major gallery exhibitions, one 5 day residential cross platform laboratory and 16 special events including award ceremonies, street games, concerts, dome projections, GPS bikes and much much more.

Ticketed attendances grew by 30% over the 2007 festival. There were 39 international and 183 Australian film industry guests who participated in illuminating discussions after the films, as part of think tanks, laboratories, symposiums and forums across the program.

In a crowded cultural calendar the 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival’s bold yet accessible programming ensured one third of all sessions had an attendance of 80% or more with 20% of sessions completely sold out.