[2] Judy Davis received the 2011 Don Dunstan Award[3][4] for her contribution to the Australian film industry on the opening night of the Festival.

[5] The glass statuette was presented by Australian filmmaker Fred Schepisi.

[6] A special screening of the 2010 Restoration Version of Fritz Lang's classic sci-fi epic Metropolis was shown with a new score, written by The New Pollutants.

[7] This original score was conceived, composed and recorded over a 12-month period, and had its world premiere at the 2005 Adelaide Film Festival.

[7][8] The festival opened with Mrs Carey's Concert,[9] directed by Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond, and closed with Mad Bastards,[9] directed by Brendan Fletcher.