Rhys Ifans in Australian movie Danny Deckchair (Photo credit: Lisa Tomasetti)

The best of Australian culture and lifestyle is coming to Hong Kong in September under the banner of Festival Australia 2003. Organised by the Australian Consulate in Hong Kong, the festival brings together almost every aspect of Australian life, including arts, entertainment, sport, shopping and the renowned Aussie sense of humour under the festival's "Laughter" theme.

The highlight of the festival is the Commonwealth Bank Australian Film Festival, featuring eight films never screened before in Hong Kong, selected to represent contemporary Australian cinema.  Films include The Man Who Sued God, starring Judy Davis and Billy Connolly, Siam Sunset, Swimming Upstream, and Beneath Clouds, which won the Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography in 2002.

The Australian String Quartet will perform at a concert organised by the Hong Kong Chamber Music Society, and exhibitions of Australian art will be held at several galleries around the city. Australian Rules football players and fans from across Asia will gather in Hong Kong for the region's leading tournament on 6 September.  

A mix of Australian products including essential oils, skin care, snacks and health foods will be available at selected shopping malls, and the best of Australian food and wine will be served at some of Hong Kong's top hotels and restaurants.

Some 50,000 Australians are resident in Hong Kong, and more than 400 Australian companies are based in the territory. A further 1,000 Australian companies have representative offices.

Related links:
Australian Consulate in Hong Kong http://www.australia.org.hk