Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
03/09/2009
QUEENSLAND FILM CELEBRATED AS Q150 FILM FESTIVALTOUR BEGINS IN BOWEN

Our favourite Queensland flicks will be on the big screen out under the stars at 10 locations around Queensland when the Q150 Film Festival takes off around the State for Queensland's 150th anniversary celebrations, Premier Anna Bligh said today.

Premier Bligh said the Q150 Film Festival, presented by Warner Bros. Movie World, tours to Bowen, Normanton, Weipa, Biloela, Roma, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Brisbane between 25 September and 5 December.

"This is the year we celebrate our people, our places and our stories," Ms Bligh said.

"In less than a month, the Q150 Film Festival begins a celebration of Queensland's fabulous film-makers, talent, stories and locations. Lock it in your diaries.

"Best of all, it's free fun for all Queenslanders.

"Over the course of two nights, the Festival will feature seven short or feature films and during the day there will be film-making workshops for school students and community members.

"I'm talking about films like Happy Feet, 48 Shades, Nim's Island, All Men are Liars, Bloody Footy and Aunty Maggie and Womba Wakgun.

"Happy Feet, a runaway animation success, was directed by Queensland-born filmmaker George Miller. It also features the voice of the late Steve Irwin, who was also recently voted a Q150 icon by the people of Queensland.

"48 Shades by Daniel Lapaine, which is based on the book 48 Shades of Brown by Queensland author Nick Earls, is a story of all the pleasures and pressures of Brisbane share-house culture in suburbia.

"Happy Feet and 48 Shades will feature on Friday night.

"Nim's Island by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin was filmed on the picturesque sandy beaches of the Gold Coast and in the pristine rainforests of Hinchinbrook Island. Gold Coast-based Academy Award Winner John Cox was the animatronics supervisor.

"All Men are Liars, a riotous comedy by Gerard Lee is set in small town Queensland.

"Nim's Island and All Men are Liars will feature on Saturday night.

"Don't miss short films: Aunty Maggie and Womba Wakgun by Indigenous actor Leah Purcell, Bloody Footy by Dean Chircorp, or the five-minute historical compilation by the National Film and Sound Archive of insights into the lives of early Queenslanders.

"But wait there's more.

"The Q150 Film Festival's Q150 Quick Flick and Q150 public filmmaking demonstration spark the creative ambitions of school students and the community at large to reach for the sky, make and show their own short film.

"Each Friday afternoon of the festival a two-hour session for school students will see one school from each of the nine locations produce a two-and-a-half-minute film on the past or the future 150 years in their community.

"This will then be screened during Saturday night's Q150 Film Festival program.

"Each Saturday morning the community at large interested in post production have the opportunity to get involved in live editing where special effects such as chroma keying will be demonstrated.

"Reserve your spot at the workshops by emailing q150workshops@p4.com.au."

Ms Bligh said with the Q150 Film Festival being staged in some of the remotest corners of the State, like Normanton and Weipa, this is one more exciting Q150 initiative designed to make sure as many people as possible in Queensland are touched by 150th anniversary celebrations.

John Menzies, Warner Village Theme Parks' Chairman said Warner Bros. Movie World was synonymous with movies and proud to be the presenting partner of the Q150 Film Festival.

"As one of Queensland's favourite theme parks, Movie World will throw open it's doors to MyFun members on a Friday, and Saturday night in November as part of the Q150 Film Festival," he said.

"To attend this free movie festival at Movie World you'll go to www.myfun.com.au in October to register.

"Warner Bros. Movie World is Hollywood on the Gold Coast and we're all about fun and enjoying this great States outdoor climate and activities

"Make sure you check your local guide for dates and times to attend in your town.

"Or if you'd like to attend the Q150 Film Festival at Movie World don't forget to register during October, limited seats are available."

To find out more about the Q150 Film Festival and workshops visit www.q150.qld.gov.au

2009 is Queensland's 150th anniversary year of independence from New South Wales.

Q150 Film Festival dates and locations:

Date Location Park

25-26 September Bowen Hansen Park
02-03 October Normanton Normanton Sports Centre
09-10 October Weipa Park outside old picture theatre
23-24 October Biloela Biloela Civic Centre
30-31 October Roma Cultural Centre Parklands
06 November Sunshine Coast Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore
07 November Sunshine Coast Kings Beach Park, Caloundra
13-14 November Toowoomba Queens Park
20-21 November Gold Coast Warner Bros. Movie World (MyFun members only)
27-28 November Gold Coast Southport Broadwater Parklands
04-05 December Brisbane New Farm Park