Phillip Adams will deliver the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture at the Screen Forever conference at Melbourne’s Crown Conference Centre on Monday November 17.
For half a century Adams has been an imposing figure as a broadcaster, filmmaker, social commentator, satirist and author of more than 20 books.
Gough Whitlam once described him as Australia’s “most perceptive social critic.” Some regard him as a godfather of the Australian film industry for his contributions to the renaissance of the industry in the 1970s and 80s.
His producing credits include The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, Don’s Party, The Getting of Wisdom and Abra Cadabra, and he was EP on Lonely Hearts and We of the Never Never.
Recognising Adams’ 21 years as presenter of Radio National’s Late Night Live, Professor Robert Manne described him as “perhaps the most remarkable broadcaster in the history of this country.”
Screen Producers Australia exec director Matt Deaner said: “Adams’ depth of experience and engagement is incomparable to any other media figure in the country. Across an incredible career, his creative vision has transformed the screen industry in this country, and his advice continues to be sought by governments and leading film institutions the world over. It will be a rare opportunity to hear from someone with such experience, intimate knowledge and perceptive insight into the Australian media industry.”
Adams played a key role in the establishment of the Australia Council, the Australian Film Development Corporation, the Australian Film Commission, the South Australian Film Corporation, the Australian Film Finance Corporation and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
He was President of the Victorian Council for the Arts, Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Film Australia, the Australian Film Institute and the Australian Film Commission and the Commission For The Future, and Foundation Chairman of the Australian Centre for Social Innovation.
Previous Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture speakers include Kim Williams, Dare Jennings, Peter Garrett, Lachlan Murdoch, Noel Pearson, Margaret Pomeranz, Harold Mitchell and Gillian Armstrong.
Screen Forever takes place November 16-19.
Registrations now open at www.screenforever.org.au