The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) has announced that its digital restoration of the award-winning classic Proof, will premiere at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). Actor Hugo Weaving, Director Jocelyn Moorhouse and Producer Lynda House will be the special guests at the 29 July screening.
The 1991 film, starring Weaving, Russell Crowe and Genevieve Picot, was digitally restored as part of NFSA Restores. The work was partly financed by the public; the NFSA asked Australians to help raise part of the cost ($25,000) to restore Proof, with the NFSA funding the rest. The Proof crowdfunding campaign was a success; 266 supporters raised $26,070 by 30 June. The extra $1,070 will be invested in new restorations and releases to help the NFSA preserve more titles.
NFSA Restores is an ongoing project, with thousands of films in 16mm and 35mm in need of restoration. This NFSA initiative utilises the best available original picture and sound materials, from both the NFSA collection and around the world. Restored films will be migrated every five years to ensure their format remains contemporary and they will be available as Digital Cinema Packages. Previous NFSA Restores films include Storm Boy (1976), Starstruck (1982), Bliss (1985) and Howling III: The Marsupials (1987).
The digital restoration of Proof will have its first screening at MIFF. Tickets will be on sale from 8 July, with a MIFF members’ pre-sale taking place on 6-7 July.