Melbourne Cinémathèque Programme 2013

Background and Significance: The Melbourne Cinémathèque programme was screened throughout 2013 at the Australian Centre or the Moving Image (audiences around 18000) and NFSA. It is widely recognized as a unique, non-aligned cultural program that engages with local communities and national priorities. This is recognized by its syndication to other venues, significant funding by Screen Australia and Film Victoria, and co-presentation with peak cultural and industry bodies such as ACMI, the National Film & Sound Archive, Screen Australia, the French Embassy/Culturesfrance, the Goethe-Institut, the Japan Foundation, Aust'n Institute of Polish Affairs. It is also significant in terms of longevity and continuity (since 1948), community focus, and is key laboratory for curatorial practice. Specially commissioned articles (by prominent international academics and writers) on many of the films screened were published in Senses of Cinema (regarded as the "Best Online Film Journal" by The Times & ranked "A" by ERA). Significance: The Melbourne Cinémathèque (2013) provided a substantial, collaborative, innovative and high-profile contribution to Melbourne/Australian film culture and the Cinema Studies discipline through the curation and contextualization of thematically focused, meticulously researched and innovative film programs. The key research activities involved in this curatorial practice include: exploring and furthering contemporary and historical curatorial practice in Australia; sourcing and importing rare film materials from overseas; collaborating with archives and filmmakers; producing extensive critical research on curated seasons (e.g. "Speak, Memory: The Films of Alexsei German"); commissioning articles (approx. 50 per annum) on many of the films screened for the ERA "A"-ranked journal, Senses of Cinema. The curated Melbourne Cinémathèque programme also provides a significant resource, inspiration and knowledge base for filmmakers and academics.