Ian Elkins in The Inspiring Story of Us.
In the lead up to Australia Day, CommBank partnered with Gillian Armstrong to create "Australia’s biggest crowdsourced film" – The Inspiring Story of Us.
The short documentary features those who have been recognised as an Australian of the Day or an Australian of the Year.
More than 240 people have been celebrated by CommBank as Australians of the Day over the past eight months.
National Australia Day Council Chairman Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, said: “CommBank has supported the Australian of the Year Awards for more than 35 years and this year extended its support to recognise everyday Aussies with the Australian of the Day initiative".
“The Australian of the Day is a great initiative that complements the work of the Australian of the Year Awards in recognising the achievements and contribution so many Australians make to this great nation. It’s exciting to see this project culminating in a stunning film by one of our most talented film directors,” said Roberts-Smith.
Gillian Armstrong said, “People were encouraged to submit footage from their mobile phones, digital cameras, Skype, Go-Pros – whatever they could find. We received hours and hours of footage and I was heartbroken I couldn’t include it all, but then we’d have a 40-hour film on our hands! The intimacy and honesty we have captured by piecing together these very personal stories has allowed us to create what I hope will be an unforgettable tapestry of the nation through film".
“You may pass someone on the street every day and have no idea of the life they lead, what they’ve been through and what they have achieved. As a filmmaker, that fascinates me. This film will introduce you to people whom you may never have heard of. They may never win a major award or be shown on the news, but they are living extraordinary lives and making a contribution in their own way".
“Directing this film has been one of the most exciting challenges of my career, it has opened my eyes to the incredible breadth of everyday Australians that make up this extraordinary nation.”
Footage totalled over 55 hours, which took Armstrong three months to edit into a 23-minute documentary.
Watch The Inspiring Story of Us here.