Speeches

Monday, 23 October 2023

Reception for Adelaide Film Festival

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It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Government House to celebrate the Adelaide Film Festival.

In particular, I warmly welcome the Indonesian filmmakers and film professionals who are part of the festival’s Spotlight on Indonesia.

All film goers know the power film has to deepen our understanding of the human condition.

For 20 years, the Adelaide Film Festival has transported us to other worlds close by and far away – where we have found knowledge, insights, ideas and purpose through new perspectives. We’ve walked in the shoes of others and experienced their emotions as well as our own.

I am proud that the festival is known for its bold programming and is distinguished as one of the few festivals in the world to invest in new screen productions – more than 140 projects, to be precise, including some of the most seminal Australian films of our time.

I am pleased to see, in 2023, the festival launch a three year focus on Indonesian film.

Next year, this will also include the establishment of a film development lab to be held in Adelaide and in Jogja, with the goal of producing at least one or more scripts ready for production by the end of 2025.

I thank the Adelaide Film Festival and Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival for pursuing this partnership.

As a former diplomat, and now as Governor, I can see great benefit in this collaboration.

By utilising the power of cinema, you will be enhancing connection and cultural understanding between our two countries.

Your work together will potentially encourage long-term engagement, industry connections and investment.

It will underscore Adelaide’s international standing – and Indonesia’s - as a powerhouse for the screen industry and develop new pathways for investment into the local industry.

And it also has the potential to bolster diplomatic, trade and investment networks.

I congratulate the eight Indonesian filmmakers here this evening for having their films selected in the festival.

I have no doubt the South Australian public will find your work both enjoyable and thought-provoking, and will learn more about Indonesian arts and culture from the experience.

I thank the representatives from the Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival with us, for their commitment to this partnership and their interest in growing links with South Australia.

I thank the Board and staff of the Adelaide Film Festival for pursuing this initiative, building on the festival’s 20 year reputation for innovation, creativity and partnership.

And I thank the festival’s many donors and supporters for making this possible.

Friends,

I wish you all an enjoyable festival and trust you will see many inspiring and moving films.

I look forward to seeing the Adelaide Film Festival and our collaboration with our Indonesian friends go from strength to strength into the future.