Pilot Season Summary and Plan for 2012
 
In August 2011 a three month trial season of outdoor cinema exhibition around Timor Leste was undertaken. Films screened in Dili and 23 towns and villages across Timor Leste to a total of 45,000 people over the season. For many it was their first movie experience. “Movies offer a window on the world, a world of culture and values that promise to transport the families of Timor Leste beyond their everyday experiences.” *
 
2011
Screenings were free of charge and held on government land. Film programming was designed to broadly appeal to the local audience, with most films shown with Tetum dubbing. A pre-show programme of sponsor slides, locally made shorts, the President’s Hero stories, Tour de Timor and Dili Motocross highlights videos all proved to be extremely popular.
 
The regular screening schedule was:
Fridays - Cristu Rei in conjunction with the Sunset Fair, DILI
Saturday & Sunday - Pallacio do Governo, DILI
Tuesday, Wednesday, some Thursdays - visits to the Districts, usually screening on Soccer Fields
 
What we have learned
At the beginning of the season we expected with the large population in the capital (est 300,000) that the Dili screenings would be the most popular and have the best attendances. Therefore approximately half of the screenings were planned for Dili. In the Districts, 23 villages and towns were visited, screening in each once only except for Bacau which was visited twice and Oucessi which we screened in three times between arriving and departing on the ferry.
 
What we found was that the screenings in Dili had audiences of a typical size to be expected at many of the outdoor cinemas we have done in Australia, 80 to 250 depending on the popularity of the film. In the Districts the response was overwhelming with crowds of several hundred common, several screenings attracted crowds in the thousands with a record of 4000 at one screening. The cinema coming to town was a special one off event so the locals of all ages came down to experience and enjoy the film and we will now concentrate our efforts in this area for 2012.
 
Season highlights
Screenings in the Districts were incredibly well received, with the crowd regularly requesting another film at the end of the evening. This was very satisfying to see so many people, often whole families of many generations, in attendance enjoying the film.
Screening “Balibo” in Balibo, behind the Balibo 5 Trust House at the foot of the Fort was very moving for everyone in attendance.
Seeing dozens if not hundreds of kids congregating during the setup process to watch the screen being blown up then squeal with delight when the show started as the sun went down.
The support of in-kind sponsors was greatly appreciated and critical for the success of the season.
 
2012
The program for 2012 will run from late May to early November. The focus on screenings will shift from Dili to the Districts. This will allow us to get to as many villages as possible and to screen in larger towns more than once. Screenings in Dili will be reduced from three per week to a few per month, which will allow the team to conduct around three times as many District screenings this year.
 
What we need
The ongoing support of the Government and sponsors is needed for the viability of the project. Fundraising is being conducted via the Sun Theatre in Melbourne to support funds for costs such as fuel, accommodation and wages for the local staff. Our long term aim is for the business is to be financially sustainable and run by locals.
 
Overall the 2011 three month trial season was a resounding success, and we are committed to a six month season in 2012 to reach more people across all of Timor Leste.

Up to date details can be followed at  www.cinemalorosae.com

 

Our thanks go to our sponsors and supporters TOLL Remote Logistics, Timor Telecom, Magic Sound Company, Rentlo Car Hire, Ministry Tourismo, UNMIT & Victory du Timor, Creative House Yarraville

 

 Elderico, Lewis, Eli, Dom, Michael, Maria and Angelo

the CL team: Elderico, Lewis, Eli, Dom, Michael, Lo, Maria and Angelo.

One of many happy families!

Screen inflated and ready to screen at the Palacio de Governo, Dili.