MANILA, Philippines - Six critically acclaimed films from Australia are set to hit select cinemas in Manila and Cebu as the Australian Embassy presents the 7th Australian Film Festival from Nov. 5 to 14. The festival will be opened by visiting Australian director Elissa Down.
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the festival will open with a special screening of the award-winning 2008 film The Black Balloon, directed by Elissa Down, who will conduct master classes at the University of the Philippines Film Institute and Mowelfund Institute.
“Down’s visit will further strengthen ties between the Australian and Filipino film industries, which have developed through the film festival and Cinemanila during the past few years, including through workshops for student film producers and directors conducted by visiting Australian actors and directors,” Ambassador Smith said.
The Black Balloon, starring Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collete (Sixth Sense, About A Boy), follows the story of 15-year-old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) who tries to fit in his new life as his family moves to a new home while taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford, The Mummy-Tom of the Dragon Emperor) and nurturing a budding romance with new girlfriend Jackie (Australian supermodel and actress Gemma Ward). Charlie takes Thomas on an emotional journey in a story that is funny, confronting and ultimately heart-warming. The film was awarded the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear for Best Feature-Length film in the Generation 14-plus category and Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Editing.
Also featured in this year’s festival are Unfinished Sky, The Bank, Danny Deckchair; Garage Days; and The Hard Word starring Guy Pearce (Memento) and Golden Globe-winner Rachel Griffiths (Brothers and Sisters).
The Australian film industry is known for its innovation and quality, and for producing unique films with an Australian flavor that have global appeal.
The festival will show at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 3 from Nov. 5 to 8 and Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 4 from Nov. 9 to 14. It is presented by the Australian Embassy, Screen Australia, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt and Ayala Center Cebu. Partners include The Peninsula Manila, the Arts Council of Cebu, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, ETC, 2nd Avenue, and ClickTheCity.com. For information on the film screenings and master classes, visit www.philippines.aus-tralia.com.ph.