AFF HISTORY

Technology is bringing the moving image to us in a myriad of ways - the screen dominates our lives - from our phones, to our computers and the internet and television. The moving image has invaded every art form from the visual to the performing arts. Creativity and innovation are pervading all of these technologies. The Adelaide Film Festival shines a spotlight on the moving image in all its forms - revealing our history, celebrating our present and exploring our future.

In 2005 the Adelaide Film Festival, in only its second incarnation, presented an innovative program exceeding all expectations. Its astonishing lineup of films from 43 countries around the globe included over 60 prestigious Australian premieres and 7 world premieres. We welcomed guests from across Australia and around the world including filmmakers, producers, academics, critics and key industry figures. We had a 96% increase in attendance on the inaugural 2003 festival, with a total ticketed attendances exceeding 30,000. A further 3022 attendances were recorded across Festival's forum program, 630 for the regional program and 6390 at the exhibitions and other free events.

Widespread critical acclaim for the program acknowledged the fact that the AFF has staked out new territory in the festival landscape.

"Adventurously programmed and well organized, the Adelaide Film Festival, which finished last Thursday, has earned its place within the ranks of the country's significant film events. Held only for the second time, the two-week biennial festival has achieved this not through imitating the larger and more established Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane film festivals, but by strategically carving out its own niche."

Lawrie Zion The Australian

Two other significant innovations have assisted the AFF in creating our unique profile: The AFF Investment Fund and the inaugural slate of projects that had their world premiere screening during the 2005 festival; and our partnership with the Australian International Documentary Conference, one of the world's most important meeting places for the documentary industry which runs parallel to AFF.

In 2007 the Adelaide Film Festival [February 22 - March 4] will continue to develop its critically acclaimed celebration of the SCREEN with a dynamic program of screenings, special events, workshops and forums across its eleven day program.