As the 59th Sydney Film Festival closed on Sunday night, with the magical Safety Not Guaranteed, it became the most highly attended Sydney Film Festival to date.
“This year, attendances at films and talks grew by 10% to 122,000,’ said SFF CEO, Leigh Small. “There was also a 27% growth in Flexipass sales, indicating individuals are attending more films during the Festival. We were elated by the positive festival buzz in the city this year, and again almost 50% of the sessions were over 90% full.”
SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley, in his first year, was pleased to have added so much to the line-up. “In my first year as Festival Director for Sydney Film Festival, I was proud to lead an event that continues to grow and change; adding new dimensions ranging from the Blackfella Films Presents program to the potpourri of comedy, burlesque, live music, talks and events in the Hub”.
The Festival Hub @ Lower Town Hall was successfully launched as a free public space where filmgoers could relax and mingle, see local and international live acts, hear filmmaker talks and have a drink at the Keystone Bar. Over 8,000 visitors made the Festival Hub a big success in its inaugural year.
All up there were a total of 225 sessions held across the 12 days of the Festival, including 157 films from 51 countries in 51 languages, 17 world premieres (9 features, 8shorts) and 112 Australian premieres, 13 retrospective titles, 34 short films, 68 features and 42 documentaries, 25 films by first-time feature directors and 44 films directed or co-directed by women.
View our complete coverage of SFF 2012.
