Posted 7.08.09
BALIBO WINS AWARDS AT THE BRISBANE FILM FESTIVAL
Balibo has won two of the five jury prizes at the 2009 Brisbane International Film Festival, taking out both the Interfaith and Fipresci Jury Awards. The film closes the Festival tonight!

Posted 7.08.09
THIS SUNDAY NIGHT ON COMPASS (ABC1, 9.40PM) "MY BROTHER, BALIBO & ME"
The story of Paul Stewart, musician (The Dili AllStars), journalist and long campaigning activist for East Timor. He shares a special bond with the former Portuguese colony, as his brother Tony Stewart, 21, was one of the journalists murdered in Balibo.... Read more about the show here...

Posted 5.08.09
BALIBO SNEAK PREVIEWS THIS WEEKEND!
Catch a sneak preview of Balibo this weekend at the following cinemas before the film opens in all states next Thursday. Why not leave your review of the film on the Balibo Facebook Fanpage? Join up by clicking here

NSW
Dendy Opera Quays - fri – 9:30, sat – 4:20, sun – 4:00
Dendy Newtown - fri – 6:30, sat – 4:40, sun – 4:40
Palace Norton St - fri – 6:30, sat – 4:15, sun – 4:15
Palace Academy - fri – 6:45, sat – 6:45, sun – 4:00
Cremorne Orpheum - fri – 8:45, sat – 4:10, sun – 5:45
Roseville Cinema - sat – 6:00, sun – 6:00
GU Bondi - sat – 2:30, sun – 2:30

ACT
Dendy Canberra - fri – 8:30, sat – 4:50, sun – 4:50
GU Manuka - sat – 5:00, sun – 5:00

TAS
Village Hobart - sat – 4:15, sun – 4:15

SA
Nova Eastend - sat – 6:50, sun – 6:20

WA
Luna Leederville - fri – 6:45, sat – 6:45, sun – 6:45
Luna SX - fri – 8:45, sat – 8:45, sun – 8:45
GU Innaloo - sat – 4:00, sun – 4:00

Posted 30.07.09
BALIBO OPENS IN MELBOURNE - RED CARPET SCREENING IN SYDNEY

BALIBO premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival Opening Night on Friday July 24. Director Robert Connolly, President José Ramos Horta, Anthony LaPaglia and cast were joined by the family members of the Balibo 5 and Victorian Premier John Brumby.


(L-R) Damon Gameau, Gyton Grantley, Robert Connolly, Mark Leonard Winter, Thomas Wright and Nathan Phillips


President José Ramos Horta and John Brumby


Anthony LaPaglia and Jose Da Costa


Families of the Balibo 5 and their guests. (L-R) Guest, guest, Anne Cunningham, Greig Cunningham, John Milkins, Shirley Shackleton, Elizabeth Milkins and guest.

The screening was followed by a stirring speech from President Ramos-Horta, who introduced the family members of the Balibo 5 as they joined him on stage. The audience's reaction was incredible. Many people were moved, angered and inspired by the story – including Steve Bracks, former Premier of Victoria who, along with actors Damian Walshe-Howling and Jane Hall, was happy to talk to our interviewer about his reaction to the film.



The following day Richard Moore, Director of MIFF introduced an in depth Q&A session with Robert Connolly, Anthony LaPaglia and President Ramos Horta. The session was hosted by Julie Rigg from Movietime on ABC Radio and you can download the audio here.

That night BALIBO premiered to a full house in Sydney at the Dendy Opera Quays. The red carpet event was attended by Robert Connolly, President Ramos Horta and Anthony LaPaglia – as well as Glenise Bowie, the sister of journalist Roger East who is played by LaPaglia in the film. This event was the first time the two had ever met in person and they spent some time talking afterwards.

After the film screened producer John Maynard acknowledged Glenise Bowie in the audience and brought Robert Connolly to the stage, who in turn introduced the cast and some crew members who had been part of his small, tight-knit team in Timor. President Ramos Horta was also introduced to the stage, and he gave another wonderful speech, thanking the Australian community for being long supporters of the Timor cause, when even the Australian government was not willing to do the same. He then presented John Maynard, Robert Connolly and Anthony LaPaglia with gifts from Timor-Leste – coffee beans and beautiful, traditionally woven scarves.




Posted 24.07.09
WORLD PREMIERE OF BALIBO TONIGHT!
The time has finally arrived to launch Balibo to the world and what better place than the opening of the Melbourne Film Festival. Welcome to President José Ramos-Horta, Anthony LaPaglia and all the cast and crew in town for the special event. We'll bring you some pics from the red carpet tomorrow.....



Posted 24.07.09

Meet the makers of Balibo at these special Q&A screenings around Australia. Tickets are now on sale so don't miss out!
Adelaide: Thursday July 30, 6.30pm, Palace Nova Eastend
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and Damon Gameau hosted by Richard Harris, South Australian Film Corporation CEO

Perth: Sunday August 2, 4.30pm, Luna Cinemas Leederville
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and Damon Gameau, hosted by reporter, presenter, columnist and producer Alison Fan

Hobart: Tuesday August 4, 6.30pm, Village Hobart
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and Damon Gameau, hosted by reporter, presenter, columnist and producer Alison Fan

Sydney, Wednesday August 6, 6.30pm, Palace Norton Street Leichhardt
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly, cast member Damon Gameau and Cover Up: The Inside Story of the Balibo Five author Jill Jolliffe

Sydney, Thursday August 6, 6.30pm, Palace Academy Paddington
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and cast members Anthony LaPaglia and Damon Gameau

Sydney: Friday August 7, 6.30pm Dendy Opera Quays
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and cast members Anthony LaPaglia and Damon Gameau, hosted by Rachael Turk

Canberra: Tuesday August 11, 6.30pm, Dendy Canberra
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly and producer John Maynard

Melbourne: Thursday August 13, 7pm, Cinema Nova Carlton
Screening followed by Q&A with director Robert Connolly, cast members Damon Gameau, Thomas Wright, Mark Winter, Bea Viegas and Cover Up: The Inside Story of the Balibo Five author Jill Jolliffe, hosted by Lawrie Zion

Details about a Brisbane Q&A screening coming soon.....


Posted 18.07.09
Australian Story on Monday July 20, 8pm: The untold story of John Milkins & his famous father, Balibo Five cameraman Gary Cunningham.
In 1989, aged 19, adoptee John Milkins finally reunited with his birth mother Heather Norman in the scenic location of Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens. He was stunned when his mother told him that his birth father was a man he’d recently been studying at university: Channel 7 cameraman, Gary Cunningham.

Gary was only twenty-seven when he was killed by Indonesian soldiers in Balibo, East Timor, during the 1975 Indonesian invasion. Four other Australian newsmen died with him. But Heather Norman had never told Gary Cunningham about her pregnancy. He’d been a fleeting boyfriend – a brief 'holiday romance', as Heather describes it. And so began an extraordinary family reunion and the beginning of John Milkins' journey to understand and seek justice for his father’s death.

Flag of My Father delivers a very personal journey behind the lens of an iconic event in Australian history. It screens on ABC1 at 8pm on July 20.


Posted 10.07.09
Welcome to the BALIBO website.
Over the coming weeks we will be bringing you Balibo news and reviews, advance screenings details, behind-the-scenes videos and more. You keep in touch via Balibo's Facebook and Twitter pages and you can watch the trailer and more on your mobile by texting BALIBO to 0437 067 779
Balibo opens in cinemas around Australia on AUGUST 13


Posted 10.07.09
President José Ramos-Horta in Australia for the BALIBO world premiere.
Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor, will attend the World Premiere of Balibo at the Opening Night of the Melbourne International Film Festival on Friday July 24. He will join Director Robert Connolly and cast members Anthony LaPaglia, Damon Gameau, Gyton Grantley, Nathan Phillips, Mark Leonard Winter, Thomas Wright and Bea Viegas on the red carpet.
Read about it here


Posted 10.07.09
Be the first to see Balibo!
Balibo will have its World Premiere at Opening Night of the Melbourne International Film Festival. Although the opening night has already SOLD OUT you can register for a waiting list for tickets here. The film will also screen during the festival.

There will be two other MIFF screenings on Monday 27 July @ 7pm and Wednesday 5 Aug @ 7pm and a special Q&A session on Saturday July 25. For all MIFF info visit: www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au

We are very excited that Balibo is closing the Brisbane Film Festival on Sunday August 9 with Robert Connolly, Anthony LaPaglia and Damon Gameau attending.
Tickets are available to purchase here

The Northern Territory premiere will take place in Darwin at Deckchair Cinema on August 10 and we'll bring you ticketing information soon.

Around the rest of the country there will be advance screenings of Balibo from late July with special Q&A events with Director Robert Connolly and cast members. Watch this space for details.

If you're in New Zealand you won't miss out, as BALIBO is scheduled to play in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch throughout the NZ Film Festival in July and August.

Posted 17.03.10
2009 AFI Awards
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Robert Connolly and David Williamson
- Best Lead Actor: Anthony LaPaglia
- Best Supporting Actor: Oscar Isaac
- Best Editor: Nick Meyers ASE