Ronita Torcato

 The first Australian Film Festival kicked off 26th   March, 2011 at Cinemax, Versova  in Mumbai. The screenings will showcase the work of the Ace Australian Director Bill Bennett among other movies made by  filmwallas from Down Under. The initiative is the inchild of Sydney based film maker Mr. Anupam Sharma (Festival Director), Mr. Peter Castaldi (Renowned Film Critic & Festival Director), Mr. Shahnaab Alam (Film Industry Advisor) & Mr. Bill Bennett and is a prequel to be followed by major announcements in the coming week between the two nations.

Australian Film Festival of India is a two-day festival organized by “An Australian Film Initiative”, featuring films including Paperback Hero starring Hugh Jackman & Bennett’s cult Kiss or Kill among others. AAFI (An Australian Film Initiative) is coming to India with a vision to promote Australian and Indian film collaborations.

Mr. Anupam Sharma, Festival Director, AAFI said “The initiative started with a single idea of Cinema Sharing Responsibilities between countries and India is our first Initiative solely due to its ever-growing popularity, wide reach and common emotional ties towards Cinema. The festival will give the Indian audience a glimpse of our cinematic sensibilities and we are proud to have this in India, a land where Cinema plays a pivotal role.”

Mr. Shahnaab Alam, Film Advisor (India) AAFI said  “The market in India is ready for this association between the two countries and the films showcased in the festival have been chosen keeping in mind the audience of India who are open to fresh ideas and novel concepts.”

Peter Castaldi, Festival Co-Director hopes the fest  will provide Indian and Australian film industries to "benefit from each other particularly on the cinematic front to initiate a mutual participation between the two nations”

Director Bill Bennett said “ India is a diverse nation even on the Cinematic front with choices varying from person to person, yet the audiences of India are matured with cinematic sensibilities. Therefore I am excited about the festival which will later lead into a full-fledged partnership between the two nations”

SCHEDULE

SCREEN 3                                           SCREEN 4
Start    Saturday 26th                          Start    Saturday 26th
10.30    A Street to Die                        11.00    Storage
12.30    Malpractise                             13.00    Kings Of Mykonos
14.30    Mortgage                                15.00    Restraint
16.30    Spider & Rose                         17.00    Samson & Delilah
18.30    Two if by Sea                          19.00    Bran Nue Dae
20.30    Uninhabited                             21.00    Bran Nue Dae
22.30    Tempted                                  23.00    Red Hill

SCREEN 3                                               SCREEN 4
Start    Sunday 27th                                Start    Sunday 27th
10.30    In a Savage Land                          11.00    AFTRS Program
12.30    Kiss or Kill                                   13.00    VCA Program
14.30    Bennet Workshop                         15.00    Bran Nue Dae
18.30    Nugget                                         17.00    Paperback Hero
19.00    Blame                                           21.00    The Loved Ones
20.30    Backlash                                       23.00    The Horseman
22.30    Unihabited                            

Venue: Cinemax, Versova, Infinity Mall, Andheri – West.

Entry:   Free (first Come First basis)