The Sydney Film Festival wrapped up last night with Twenty Feet From Stardom, a lovely crowd-pleasing (lots of bursts of applause during the film at particularly impressive performances) documentary on back-up singers (or background singers as they are called in the US), after twelve days of (mostly) good films, very few technical problems, excellent organisation, and, amazingly, really good weather.
As Festival Director Nashen Moodley said on stage last night, “it was sunny and warm, but people filled the cinemas regardless.” He announced that the festival was up in both audience numbers and ticket sales, making the 60th Anniversary a record year – and a well-deserved result.