Gillian Armstrong’s documentary about triple Oscar winner, late designer Orry-Kelly, was launched at the Sydney Film Festival with a world premiere aboard a cruise liner in June.

The Kiama-born designer created wardrobes for the silver screen from the 1930s to 1960s.

Orry George Kelly, as he was known away from the limelight, won Oscars for costume design for his work on An American in Paris (1952), Les Girls (1958) and Some Like It Hot (1960), and was nominated for Gypsy (1963).

The film had a national theatrical release on July 16. There have been reported negotiations to screen the film in Kiama, with Gerringong Pics and Flicks touted as a potential venue.

‘‘I’m not involved in the distribution, but I know that our producer and the distributor would like to bring it (to Kiama),’’ Armstrong said.

‘‘It’ll do its city run first, that’s generally how things go. Hopefully we can do a special one in Orry’s home town.

‘‘It’s still early days.’’

Armstrong was delighted the film had enjoyed fantastic reviews, while word-of-mouth had been vital.

‘‘It’s a limited release, but it’s bigger than I’ve had for some of my other documentaries.

‘‘It’s an incredibly entertaining film, it’s got a really rich story and amazing clips, but it’s not Pitch Perfect 2.

‘‘You are competing on a different playing field with a film which is full of stars, comedy or stunts.

‘‘But for the sort of film it is, we’ve got a really fantastic release.’’

Foxtel, one of the film’s investors, will likely screen the film in late 2015/early 2016, eventually followed by a DVD/Blu-ray release. 

The Kiama and District Historical Society assisted with the film’s research, helping select photographs included and choosing the location shots around Kiama.

‘‘It’s putting Kiama on the map all around the world,’’ Armstrong said.

‘‘The people in Kiama will obviously pick that we didn’t film at your lighthouse; unfortunately there was too much concrete and carparks around it.

‘‘But we have got some shots of the Kiama beach, bay and headlands.

‘‘The blowhole was just extraordinary, so we have some very good Kiama Blowhole shots... There will be people flocking to see your blowhole from around the world.

‘‘Orry is considered one of the top three costume designers of all time... Maybe Kiama should be thinking about, maybe there should be a plaque, monument or street named after him.’’

The film will be shown as part of the 2015 Travelling Film Festival Huskisson (August 28-30). 

Also, Orry-Kelly: Dressing Hollywood coincides with this weekend’s release of Orry-Kelly’s long-lost memoir Women I’ve Undressed. 

On August 18, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne will premiere the first exhibition celebrating the life and work of Orry-Kelly. 

The exhibition features original costumes, his three Oscar statues, sketches and more.

Orry-Kelly: Dressing Hollywood runs from August 18 to January 17.