The 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival (BAFF) program was launched this morning by the Minister assisting the Premier of the Arts, the Hon John Hill MP; Deputy Chairman Vivienne Skinner and Festival Director, Katrina Sedgwick at the Palace Nova East End Cinemas in Adelaide, one of the main venues for this year’s festival.

Taking place from 24 February to 6 March, the 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival will present a dynamic program of screenings, special events, workshops and forums, which is expected to attract over 48,000 film lovers and film makers across its eleven day program.

Deputy Chairman Vivienne Skinner says, ‘For 11 days from 24 February, immerse yourself in the best film the world has to offer. From stories from our own backyard to those from far flung places, come and be entertained, dazzled, educated. Come and have fun!’

The Hon. John Hill MP, Premier of South Australia said, “The Adelaide Film Festival is a wonderful start to 2011 – a year that is particularly important for film in South Australia. Not only do we have the Festival’s exciting program of new films and screenings across the State to look forward to, but we will also see the new Adelaide Studios open later this year as the landmark home for the SA Film Corporation and the next generation of film and screen talent. “

This festival, in only its fifth incarnation, will present an astounding 20 world premieres of new Australian works in 2011 – including a surprise screening TBA during the festival, and 55 Australian premieres.

Of the 48 Australian films which will screen, ten new Australian features from established and emerging filmmakers will have their world premiere at the festival, and 150 films from 49 countries will screen through the festival’s duration

The Minister assisting the Premier of the Arts, Minister John Hill MP announced much-lauded Australian actor Judy Davis as the recipient of the Don Dunstan Award, which is presented by the festival’s Board in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry.

The 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival not only showcases the best of international screen culture but also invests in new and innovative work through the AFF Investment Fund. Warwick Thornton’s multi-award winning Samson & Delilah, which went on from BAFF to win the Camera D’Or at Cannes, Rolf de Heer’s Ten Canoes and Sarah Watt’s Look Both Ways are past successes that have been funded through the AFF Investment Fund. 14 projects have been supported through the AFFIF for premiere in 2011 and in April the Museum of Modern Art in New York will present a week long celebration of the AFFIF screening 8 films that have received some AFFIF support since the fund was established in 2003.

The world premiere of Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond’s highly anticipated new feature documentary MRS CAREY’S CONCERT will open the 2011 festival with Brendan Fletcher’s MAD BASTARDS closing the festival after 10 packed days.

The twelve films in competition for the 10 News International Award for Best Feature Film were also announced this morning along with the five member jury, headed by jury president Julietta Sichel, producer and former director of programming for the Karlovy Vary Film Festival including jurors Pierre Rissient, one of the most legendary programmers at the Cannes Film Festival and Trevor Groth, Program Director for the Sundance Film Festival.