PA/31/13 3 October 2013
Oz Fest launches again in India
Australia’s cultural festival Oz Fest is back in India after its smash debut last year.
The second edition of the festival will run from October 2013 to February 2014, and will feature contemporary Australian fashion, music, comedy, film and food.
“The Oz Fest program has a diverse line-up of innovative and exciting events” said Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Mr Patrick Suckling.
“We are bringing back some successful elements from last year’s program as well as venturing into new areas of cultural collaboration with India. We want people in India to get a taste of Australian contemporary culture.”
“There was such an overwhelming response to Oz Fest last year, and we hope people in India will be keen to come back for a second helping!”
Oz Fest ambassadors Brett Lee, Gary Mehigan and Pallavi Sharda are back on board to lend their support.
"India is my second home, and I've spent a lot of time telling Australians what a vibrant and impressive country it is. Oz Fest gives me the chance to tell people in India more about modern, multicultural Australia and has proven that when people from both our countries work together and share ideas, the results can be spectacular” said Brett.
“Last year's festival brought so many creative Australians to India. I'm looking forward to being part of Oz Fest's return and launching my new collaborative fashion project at WIFW next week."
"I’m so excited to be returning to India for my third trip” said Gary. “The many sights, sounds and tastes of India have stayed with me since my first trip to the saffron land last year as part of Oz Fest.
“I have been so inspired by Indian cuisine and eager to learn more, but also to share my passion for Australia and the amazing food we have to offer. I am secretly in love with Indian breads, paratha, dosa, naan, the list goes on! I am proud, once again, to be an ambassador for Oz Fest."
Pallavi said “last year, Oz Fest brought some of Australia’s best artists to India and I’m hooked! It’s fantastic that young Indians will have the chance to see Australian musicians, designers, chefs, comedians and filmmakers in action again in their own back yard. I can’t wait to be part of it all.”
Oz Fest highlights will include:
- Australian fashion at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi featuring a ramp show from design duo Romance Was Born and an exciting new fashion project by Australian cricketer Brett Lee.
- Masterchef Australia judge Gary Mehigan will return to film a new TV series pilot around India, and will be a special guest at food events in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
- THE AUSSIE BBQ music tour will be back with four talented young Australian bands touring to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Delhi – including gigs at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender and songwriting sessions with Indian musicians in Mumbai.
- Australian feature film ‘The Rocket’ will screen at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival where acclaimed filmmaker Bruce Beresford will be President of the Jury, and Screen Australia will be back at the Goa Film Bazaar with a delegation of Australians to scope the Indian film market and explore collaborative film projects.
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s RAW Comedy competition will run in February to find India’s best new comedy talent.
Information about what’s happening where and when with Oz Fest events will be posted throughout the festival on our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/australianhighcommissionindia?ref=hl
For media queries: Vartika Bassi Sethi 41399900