December 15 & 16, 2009
This December in its 11th edition, the SFS Film Festival will take place on Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16 at the usual festival venue, the Palace Academy Twin Cinema in Sydney’s central suburb of Paddington.
Kicking off with the Panel Discussion ‘What is a ‘winning’ idea? : Funding Opportunities for Graduates’, the festival will present more than 50 films produced this semester by SFS students. Films will be distributed throughout 7 screening sessions and judged by the teaching staff and outside industry professionals with awards presented at the festival’s Awards Night, on Wednesday 16th of December.
It is with great pleasure that we announce a celebrated Australian film director, writer, and producer, Bruce Beresford as a very special Key Note Speaker.
The director of critically acclaimed films Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy and most recently Mao’s Last Dancer will address the audience during the Awards Night of the festival when he will also present the 5th SFS Robin Anderson Scholarship Winner - who will be offered a one-year, full time scholarship to study in our school.
The night before, Tuesday 15th (8:00-10:00pm), is reserved for the Graduation Ceremony that will screen all the major projects produced by our graduates in the last semester of their 1-year studies.
As a special feature of the graduation night, continuing its collaboration with international film schools, the SFS Festival will also screen the 17 minute drama ‘Oblivion’ directed by Gabriel Tzafka, a postgraduate student at the Film School of the Thessaloniki Aristotle University in Greece. The
International Perspectives - Greece will be specially introduced by the Consul General of Greece, Mr Vasileios Tolios.
Another reason to attend the festival is the Panel Discussion ‘What is a ‘winning’ idea? : Funding Opportunities for Graduates’.

The panel will take place on Tuesday, December 15 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm and will provide guidance to emerging filmmakers on how to develop and produce their film projects in line with existing funding opportunities and to understand the expectations and criteria set by their respective constituents.
Representatives of public and private funding schemes, (Screen NSW, Screen Australia, SBS & Hopscotch Films Distributor) will discuss and exchange their views on what constitutes a ‘winning idea’ or a ‘winning project’.
Be a part of our festival and participate in one of the most exciting film events in the city! Event is free and open to all!
Reservations are essential only for the Screening 7 and Awards Ceremony! To RSVP email marketing@sydneyfilmschool.com
Special thanks to our festival sponsors: Jojo’s Jetty wines, Intermedia, The Production Book, Kodak, Rode Microphone, John Barry, SPAA, Dendy Cinemas, Deluxe, Avid, Chaotic Pictures, Title Space, Popcorn Taxi, Sydney Underground Film Festival and SCA!!!
DAY 1 - DECEMBER 15
2:00 - 3:30 pm Panel Discussion
4:00 - 5:00pm Screening 1
5:15 - 6:15pm Screening 2
6:30 - 7:30pm Screening 3
8:00 - 10:00pm Screening 4/Graduation
Note: International Perspectives - Greece will take place during the Screening 4/Graduation session!
DAY 2 - DECEMBER 16
3:00 - 4:00pm Screening 5
4:30 - 5:30pm Screening 6
6:30 - 10:00pm Screening 7/Awards Ceremony
Note: Bruce Beresford will address the audience & announce the 5th SFS Robin Anderson Scholarship winner during the Screening 7/Awards Ceremony session!