Across 12 days and nights, the 59th Sydney Film Festival brings the CBD to life with screenings of over 150 films, red carpet galas, talks and forums; plus some very special, soon-to-be-announced, events and international guests.

From 6-17 June, Sydney Film Festival will showcase the best in cinema from across Australia and around the world, including features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, restorations, animation and more.

The Sydney Film Festival programming team gathers an amazing selection from the world's great film festivals, including Cannes, Sundance and the Berlinale, brings them back home to add to our finest local productions, creating a packed program of more than 250 screenings for patrons to choose from.

Highlights also include the much-anticipated announcement of the twelve films that vie for the Official Competition; a highly respected international honour that awards a $60,000.00 cash prize based on the decision of a jury of international and Australian filmmakers and industry professionals.

Travelling way beyond the mainstream, there really will be something for all tastes and interests to select from, with many ways for patrons to map their own Film Festival adventure from a single ticket to a full subscription and all points between.

A sneak preview of the 2012 program will be announced on the 2nd of April and the full program will be revealed on May 9th.

This year, Sydney Film Festival welcomes a new Festival Director, Nashen Moodley, whose impressive career includes roles as Manager/Head of Programming at South Africa's Durban International Film Festival (2001-2011) and Director of Asia and Africa programs for Dubai International Film Festival (2005-current) as well as curating Tehran's first South African Film Festival (2006).

ABOUT SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL

Each June, Sydney Film Festival screens across the city at venues including the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street and Dendy Opera Quays. Patrons are encouraged to choose the way of engaging with the festival that best fits their lifestyle and budget. This means we welcome single-ticket buyers, Flexipass 30, 20 or 10 buyers, or Subscribers to our daytime or evening programs. Flexipass buyers can share their passes with friends and family, making meeting over a movie easier while you save on single-ticket prices. Buying any form of ticket is easier than ever at sff.org.au, via our iPhone or Android App, by phone on 1300 SFF SFF or at any of our cinema Box Offices.

Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government, through Arts NSW and the Office of Trade, Business and Industry, the Federal Government through Screen Australia, and the City of Sydney.

Since its inception in June 1954 the festival has grown into a well-established and respected event on the international film festival calendar, as well as a flagship cultural event for Sydney and New South Wales. Sydney is a UNESCO designated International City of Film, acknowledgement by the Creative Cities Network of the depth, breadth and vibrancy of the city's film industry and culture. Sydney Film Festival 2012 will roll out the red carpet from 6 - 17 June. For more information visit http://www.sff.org.au