The Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin has announced a $5 million boost for the Sydney Film Festival over the next four years.
Speaking on the first day of this year’s festival, Mr Harwin said the new funding represented an annual increase of over 20 per cent, demonstrating how important the screen sector is to the NSW community.
“Since Government support began in 2009 the Festival has grown in attendance by over 80 per cent to become one of the leading international film festivals,” Mr Harwin said.
He said that in addition to the four-year funding boost, the Government would support an expansion of the festival’s footprint into 13 regional cinemas by committing $355,000 to the Travelling Film Festival.
“Film fans in Lismore, Singleton, Griffith, Orange and Broken Hill are in for a treat when the Festival hits their screens from 2020 onwards,” Mr Harwin said.
He said the screen sector in NSW supported nearly 10,000 jobs and in this year’s Festival line-up, 17 films and a miniseries were supported by the NSW Government.
Chief executive of the Sydney Film Festival, Leigh Small congratulated the Minister on the increase in funds.
“The Government’s support of Sydney Film Festival is a testament not only to the vibrant and brilliant Australian filmmakers whose work screens at the Festival, but to our enthusiastic and diverse audiences who attend each year,” Ms Small said.
The Sydney Film Festival continues in 10 theatres until Wednesday 19 June.
