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Cinema : State Film Centre
| Cinema Name | State Film Theatre |
| Date Started | 27-02-1970 |
| Date Finished | 01-01-2002 |
| Seats Count | 0 |
| Screens Count | 1 |
| Address | 1 Macarthur Street |
| Suburb | East Melbourne |
| Postcode | 3002 |
| State | VIC |
| Country | Australia |
| Date Built | 00-00-1969 |
| Date Demolished | |
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References ( click to view )
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| web - ACMI : Our History . |
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Australian Centre
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| The State Film Centre evolved into the Australia Centre for the Moving Image in 2002. This historical recount, from the ACMI itself, of the Centre, and the S...[full record]
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| newspaper - Artsbeat The Age. 04-11-1998. p.18 |
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Gabriella Coslovich
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| An 'Age' article on the film festivals in Melbourne at the time, which notes the niche of international films the State Film Theatre provides.[full record]
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| newspaper - Artsbeat: METRO The Age. 05-12-1997. p.5 |
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Robin Wright
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| An article focusing on the up-coming inaugural Festival of Australian Film, created by Premier Jeff Kennet, which featured a collection of Australian classic...[full record]
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| web - CAARP: State Film Centre : State Film Theatre, Melbourne . . p.1 |
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Chandler Canterbury,
Usher
Mc Donald
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| The CAARP is an information database, free for the public to search and access the information of the hundreds of Australian cinemas, films and companies it ...[full record]
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| newspaper - Gaytime Television with Something to Say The Age. 23-03-1998. p.8 |
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MARGARET EASTERBROOK
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| An article about the portrayal and acceptance of gay people in 1998. It showcases the forward thinking understanding of the State Film Centre and Theatre ven...[full record]
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Close References
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Notes ( click to view )
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| A Brief History |
The State Film Centre of Victoria was established in 1946 at the recommendation of innovative British documentary filmmaker Dr John Grierson as a way of boosting the Australian film production industry. Initially, the State Film Centres only purpose was to act as library, collecting a documenting 'a list of all suitable documentary and educational films' with the intention of actively showcasing such films to the appropriate public areas. It did this primarily through a basic lending service, but also had mobile projectors that extended the Centre"s reach. As almost a by-product, the Centre also acted as an historical archive, playing an important role in the collection and safekeeping of such old classics as "On Our Selection" (1920). In the 1950s as televisions popularity grew in Victoria, the Centre actually became active in the production of some Australian programs.
In 1969 the State Film Theatre was built, and was to act as community-based exhibition theatre, showcasing some of the more important films the Centre had collected that was not readily available in commercial cinemas or elsewhere.
The State Film Theatre officially opened in February of 1970, and while it had a slow start, audiences started warming to the venue. By the end of its second year, the Theatres figures calculated for 1971 saw a huge increase in audience attendees from just over 220,000 to well over 4,800,00.
While the theatre saw a flourish in its success, the Centre was moving forward as well, moving into ad promoting student films and university film studies. The film industry was bolstered by such emerging filmmakers and a increase in government funding, and original Australian films started gaining critical acclaim and international success. The most successful Australian movie of this time was Fred Schepisis 1976 classic "The Devils Playground", which premiered at the State Film Theatre and eventually achieved unprecedented success.
As the governing structure of the State Film Centre progressed, talks of merging and creating a new facility titled "Australian Centre for the Moving Image" begun as early as 1983. This push continued as the need for newer, more capable facilities arised out of the ever evolving film industry. The new facility was worked on throughout the 1990s, until its existence was finally recognized in 2002 as the ACMI was established by the "Film Act 2001 (Victoria)"
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Close Notes
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