Rosemount Estate Launches the Rosemount Diamond Award for Aspiring Australian Film Makers

Rosemount Estate Launches the Rosemount Diamond Award for Aspiring Australian Film Makers - Inaugural Award and $10,000 to be Presented in the USA at the 2005 Jackson Hole Film Festival - NAPA, Calif., and SYDNEY, Australia, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In a toast to Australian film, Rosemount Estate, the Prestige Wine of Australia, today announced a call-for-entries for its inaugural Rosemount Diamond Award. The Rosemount Diamond Award is an all-new competition that invites Australian filmmakers to submit original films for the chance to win a cash prize of $US10,000. A panel of top entertainment industry figures from Australia and around the world will judge entries for the award. In June 2005, five Australian finalists will be flown to the United States where their films will be showcased at the Jackson Hole Film Festival. The winner will receive the Grand Prize, which includes a $10,000 grant towards his or her next feature film. The Jackson Hole Film Institute is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers and inspiring global audiences through the cultivation and education of film, the business of film and the cinematic arts. Each year the festival will spotlight the cinematic talents of a specific country as part of its "World Program". In June 2005, the Jackson Hole Film Festival's featured country is Australia in honor of founding sponsor Rosemount Estate. Rosemount Estate's North American vice president of communications and public relations Liz O'Connell said the winemaker was honored to launch the 2005 Rosemount Diamond Award at the Jackson Hole Film Festival. "In recent years, Australia has been in the spotlight through its pool of highly acclaimed film talent including actors Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and director Baz Luhrmann -- to name just a few -- all of whom began their esteemed careers through the independent film scene. As a wine industry leader Rosemount Estate has always encouraged and valued innovation so it seems fitting that we extend our encouragement of creative endeavors to the medium of film. We hope our support will provide greater recognition -- and opportunity -- for the next generation of Australian film talent," Ms O'Connell added. Rosemount Diamond Award entries may be submitted for consideration immediately. Submission criteria and guidelines can be found at www.jhff.org or by contacting rosemountdiamondaward@jhff.org. There will be press and industry launch events in Los Angeles at the Rosemount Australian Film and Style Festival on January 18th, 2005 at the Egyptian Theatre and in Sydney on February 3, 2005. For more information, please contact Liz O'Connell in the U.S.A. at liz.oconnell@southcorp-usa.com (707)-256-2664; or Stephen Mahoney in Australia at (02) 9465-1125 stephen.mahoney@southcorp.com.au ABOUT ROSEMOUNT ESTATE: Rosemount Estate, the Prestige Wine of Australia, was founded in 1969 in the Hunter Valley by Robert Oatley. It is one of Australia's most prominent wineries. The winery regularly receives awards and accolades for its distinctive, full-flavored wines and was named "New World Winery of the Year for 2001" by the prominent industry magazine, Wine Enthusiast. Although best known for its distinctively packaged, Diamond Label Shiraz and Chardonnay, Rosemount Estate also produces several tiers of premium wines. These include the much-awarded Show Reserve wines, the Hill of Gold line from Mudgee in New South Wales, single varietal wines from Orange, the Epicurean range loosely based on traditional French blends and the three flagship wines; Roxburgh Chardonnay, Mountain Blue Shiraz Cabernet and Balmoral Syrah. In 2000, Rosemount Estate partnered with Robert Mondavi winery to create distinctive Australian and Californian wines of unparalleled quality and style. Rosemount remained family owned and operated until it merged with Southcorp in February 2001 to form Australia's largest premium wine company. Source: Rosemount Estate CONTACT: Maryam Barrett of Barrett Communications, +1-212-989-6129, maryams@nyc.rr.com, for Rosemount Estate Web site: http://www.jhff.org/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment