Film Australia today recognised the exceptional work of Academy Award nominated, independent documentary filmmaker David Bradbury, by presenting him with the Stanley Hawes Award for 2008.
The Film Australia Stanley Hawes Award is for outstanding contribution to the Australian documentary sector and comes with a $5,000 prize that was announced at the Australia International Documentary Conference.
‘David Bradbury is a filmmaker who has made a tremendous impact on the documentary sector in Australia. He has worked tirelessly and often gone to extraordinary lengths to produce powerful films – and in doing so, has lifted the bar for other filmmakers in this country. It is a great pleasure that we recognise his efforts and award him this title,’ said Film Australia CEO Daryl Karp.
Bradbury began his career as a radio journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1972. However it was first film Frontline, a portrait of courageous Australian news cameraman Neil Davis that set him on a path of independent documentary making. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and won numerous prizes at international film festivals.
Since then Bradbury has produced 21 documentaries – many that tackle difficult political issues and highlight the plight of the disadvantaged. He has won countless international film festival prizes and been the winner of five AFI awards and two Academy Award nominations (Frontline, Chile: Hasta Cuando?)
‘There are few Australian documentary makers with the passion and determination of David Bradbury. He has continued to produce exceptional stories, filmed under incredible circumstances and not all with the support of government funding. He has always been driven by his belief that the Australian public deserved be informed,’ said Ms Karp.
‘I am proud to accept this award in the tradition of a long line of filmmakers before me who have followed their passion and made documentaries that have inspired people, films that stay in our memory bank and are part of the nation’s cultural treasury. I thank Film Australia for honouring me with this award in acknowledgment of the passion for my craft,’ said Mr Bradbury.
The award was established by Film Australia in 1997 to honour legendary Australian documentary producer Stanley Hawes, the first Producer-in-Chief of the Australian National Film Board (1946-1969), later to become Film Australia. Previous winners include Mike Gissing (2007), John Hughes (2006), the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (2005), Robin Hughes (2004), Stewart Young (2003).
Film Australia is one of the nation’s leading producers of television documentaries and educational programs. An Australian Government-owned company, Film Australia’s mission is to create an audio-visual record of Australian life.
[release from Avviso]