John Sayles announced to hold a masterclass at the Australian Directors Guild’s Conference

American director John Sayles will give a masterclass at the Australian Directors Guild’s conference in Adelaide, it was announced today.

John Sayles is being brought to Australia by the ADG in association with the 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival. He is the latest presenter to be announced for the ADG’s three-day conference of masterclasses and workshops in drama, digital filmmaking and docu-drama. The conference is being held in Adelaide for the first time between February 27 and March 1 inclusive.

John Sayles is the director of films including Matewan, Lone Star andhis latest feature, Amigo. Like Martin Scorsese and James Cameron,Sayles began his film career working with Roger Corman.

Anotherinternational director presenting at the conference is Paul Greengrass(The Bourne Identity, United 93). Greengrass will be giving hispresentation via Skype.

“Aimed at mid-career directors as wellas newcomers, the conference gives delegates a rare opportunity toextend their professional development,” conference committee chair,director Kay Pavlou, said.

Australian directors speaking at theconference include Tony Tilse (Underbelly), Rob Carlton (ChandonPictures), Warwick Thornton (Samson  & Delilah) and Cate McQuillen(Dirtgirlworld).