Sydney Film Festival is holding an Extraordinary General Meeting tonight to vote on a new constitution and board structure (which involves one NSW Government appointee on the board - relatively low level state govt representation compared to the Sydney Festival (arts) , which has had former state premier and arts minister Nathan Rees and Mayor Clover Moore in its top two board positions and prospered greatly.My understanding is that SFF needs to pass this in order to qualify for a NSW govt finance bailout. I won't be able to attend - I'll be at Sydney Festival concerts I have to review - but will await the outcome with great interest.
For what it's worth, I support the proposal - I don't see any other realistic possibility. I note with interest that current President, Virginia Gordon, is not being proposed for the new board.
6 comments:
Living in Melbourne, MIFF is the main event I look forward to going. I normally see around 30 films. I believe MIFF is a great success down here so why can't Sydney make it work since they virtually have access to the same films. The only explanation is that the Melbourne cinemas are all within walking distance and Sydney cinemas are not.
Lynden it's not that Virginia Gordon is "not being proposed" for the new board, she is not standing for re-election. She has said many times that she believes arts boards need to constantly replenish themselves and that board members are there to effect change and move on - not to stick around for years. We all know the SFF has struggled financially for years, but thanks in large part to Virginia's vision the Festival has been rejuvenated. These changes to the governance of the Festival are in everyone's interest because they will encourage government and the corporate sector to invest in the Festival - which means the changes Virginia and her board have worked so hard for will now be placed on a more permanent footing.
Dear Anonymous,
This is a strangely defensive response to a blog post that is supportive of the festival's changes. You seem to be reacting to some imagined imputation that isn't being made. The phrase "not being proposed" is 100% accurate - Ms Gordon was not proposed in the motion. Fact. I didn't speculate on the reasons in the post (other than to say it's interesting) because I didn't know the reasons. And still don't. You haven't told readers who you are, so it's unclear why anyone should assume you are in a position to know or judge whether or not you have an agenda.
Re: "These changes to the governance of the Festival are in everyone's interest because they will encourage government". Agreed. That's why I write that "I support the proposal - I don't see any other realistic possibility."
Having worked on MIFF and witnessed from the inside out how this festival runs I've gotta say it does a good job, not only in screening films but also nuturing film making talent. Acclerator is a good example of this. I'm not sure why Sydney is a basket case, maybe its just a Sydney thing, great to look at..but seems totally in love with its own self image as it crumbles without a plan and little at the core. I went to the Sydney Festival a few years back and loved it, so they can produce the goods. Just have a clear vision and stick to it...and to be fair Sydney just doesn't have the infastructure like Melbourne, everything is held within a few blocks. That said I thought the programming of MIFF last year was a bit average..but hey thats just me. Sydney is a good looking basket case, thats why I love it...oh and its shockingly corrupt and has bad dysfunctional management and seems to be without any real vision...I love that about it as well..the sad confused little bimbo that it is.
So pray tell - what happened at the Extraordinary Meeting?
It used to be possible to be a member of the festival - yet there is nothing on the website giving membership forms...
So - who "owns" the festival?
Who gets appointed or elected to this board?
How much money has the government and City of Sydney donated to the festival each year?
Why does it run at a loss?
How can it be a viable festival?
i have been going to festivals for many years and have been away for the last 3 years- So what is happening
Hi Lyndon
What's news on the Sydney film fest front?
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