Adelaide Film Festival

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:15): My question is for the Minister for Industry and Skills: can the minister update the house on the state government's investment to support the Adelaide Film Festival?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills) (15:15): I am very pleased to receive this question from the member for Colton. I know how interested he is in opportunities for young people in South Australia. The Marshall Liberal government is committed to creating the right environment to grow and promote South Australia's creative industries. Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in the launch of this year's Adelaide Film Festival. Our festival is unique in that it includes an investment fund that supports our outstanding and growing South Australian screen industry.

The Marshall Liberal government is pleased to provide $1 million for the festival and the fund. The Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund supports production of feature films, short films and documentaries. To receive support, films need to have some connection to South Australia, whether it be production, post-production or being shot here. This is very important, of course, because this is where the jobs can be created for our young people.

A final condition of receiving support from the fund is that these films have their Australian premiere in Adelaide. On this year's opening night film is Hotel Mumbai. I have already had the pleasure of seeing the film and recommend it to all of you. Filming, production and post-production of the film took place in Adelaide. In fact, a luxury Indian hotel was recreated within the hallways of the Adelaide Studios.

The movie has been widely acclaimed, most recently at the Toronto Film Festival, with reviews such as, 'Hotel Mumbai tells an astonishing true story of the victims and survivors of the devastating attacks on Mumbai in 2008,' and, 'It is an excellent white-knuckle thriller—and an unlikely crowd-pleaser,' as well as, 'The film is gripping in its execution,' and, 'Hotel Mumbai is a nonstop, intense thrill ride that will shake you to the core.' I can certainly relate to those critics' commentary.

It's also important for Australian audiences to see Australian stories on the big screen, and the Marshall Liberal government is very pleased to be able to facilitate and support that objective. Our strong local film history has a great deal to be proud of. The diversity and incredibly high calibre of the screen industry in South Australia is globally recognised. The Adelaide Film Festival is a brilliant showcase of the best of our local industry, which is full of potential and continued growth. The Marshall Liberal is committed to continuing support for the screen industry here in South Australia.