| G’Day USA at the Film Festival |
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 Sunday, January 10, 2010Viceroy Palm Springs, California Story and photos by Pat Krause For more photos by Pat Krause of the Australian Film Day, click here. The 21st Palm Springs Film International Festival hosted an Australian Film Day, entitled “G’Day USA.” This day showcased new Australian cinema with many new films from Down Under. The Festival partnered with G’Day USA, the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles and Tourism Australia. This Australian Day served as a kick-off for weeklong Australian festivities in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and New York. Films from Australia screened in all the theaters from 11:30 in the morning to 7:30 that night. The day ended with a huge party at the Viceroy in Palm Springs. The Viceroy put up huge tents with tables, entertainment, bars and a buffet table. The tent was even heated, as this was an outdoor event. The Viceroy did an extraordinary job hosting this fabulous party. Celebrity actors, directors and producers walked a green carpet and posed in front of a panel advertising all the sponsors for the party. Some of the most notable actors were Bryan Brown, Rachel Ward and Anthony LaPaglia.  Ward was here not as an actress but as a first-time director of the film “Beautiful Kate.” This was a controversial film that took her several years to produce. She did an outstanding job of creating the demons that control people; the guilt and emotional turmoil people can face from prior actions and the secrets they hold. Brown acted in this film, as they had worked together several times in films as actors. She felt he was a natural talent to play this part. LaPaglia was the last to walk the green carpet. All the celebrities gave interviews, talked to guests inside the tent and listened to comments of their films. Networking in the industry was evident as producers and directors talked with others in the entertainment field. Some of the Australian films will be screened throughout the festival. These are must-see films as Australia is emerging as a major film industry. They showcase such artistic talent in producing, directing and bringing new actors into the limelight.For more photos by Pat Krause of the Australian Film Day, click here. For more about the Palm Springs International Film Festival, click here. For more about G’Day USA, click here. For more about the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles, click here. For more about Tourism Australia, click here. For more about the movie “Beautiful Kate,” click here. For more about the Viceroy in Palm Springs, click here. |
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