Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) and Feast Festival have released a joint statement condemning an alleged homophobic attack on a patron as they travelled home from a screening last Saturday night.
The two organisations, which were jointly presenting a screening of the film Jim Queen, said they were deeply distressed by reports of a violent assault.
They said that following the screening, a number of patrons continued their evening elsewhere in the city. One patron was subsequently attacked while waiting for transport home. The patron was hospitalised, and organisers said the circumstances of the attack indicated it may have been motivated by homophobia.
Speaking to the ABC, Adelaide Film Festival Director Mat Kesting said the incident was disturbing and unacceptable.
“It was reported to us in the days following that someone who had attended that event had been subjected to homophobic verbal abuse and attacked on his way home,” he said.
“My understanding is that it started with verbal abuse and then the attack became physical.
“The person concerned incurred quite serious injuries, including broken bones, and was hospitalised for a day or more.”
South Australia’s Attorney-General Kyam Maher commented on the incident, saying: “There’s no place for homophobic abuse in our state and it should be utterly condemned when it occurs.”
The man was allegedly assaulted by a group of men not known to him at the corner of Bank Street and North Terrace at 3.50am on Sunday, October 18. He was taken to hospital following the attack.
South Australian Police are investigating the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or call anonymously on 1800 333 000.
