The 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) has unveiled G’Day USA, a showcase of Australian cinema on January 9 that will kick off the nationwide G’Day USA Australia Week business and cultural initiative.

Australia Film Day will launch with a screening of My Year Without Sex and the programme includes the US premiere of Glendyn Ivin’s Last Ride starring Hugo Weaving, Warwick Thornton’s Australian foreign-language Oscar submission and Camera D’Or winner Samson And Delilah (pictured), and the US premiere of Ana Kokkinos’ ensemble drama Blessed.

Beautiful Kate, The Balibo Conspiracy, Lucy Country, In My Father’s Country, and Wake In Fright will also screen. The Australian films will be eligible for the FIPRESCI Award, New Voices/New Visions Award and John Schlesinger Awards competition.

“The Australian production boom was brought on by tax incentives, but it is the new talent behind the work that will sustain it,” festival director Darryl Macdonald said.

G’Day USA is a partnership with the Australian Consulate General in Los Angeles and Tourism Australia. PSIFF runs from January 7-18.

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