Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford.
Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford’s Aquarius Films has received a NSW Creative Achievement Award.
Their 11-year-old company was named as the 2018 NSW Creative Laureate for its demonstrated leadership and significant contribution to increasing the global profile of NSW creative industries.
The inaugural NSW Young Creative Award went to 24-year-old game developer Ally McLean, who worked on the award-winning game Rumu – an exploration of love and artificial intelligence through the journey of a robot vacuum cleaner.
The judging panel included the 2017 Creative Laureate, Plastic Wax VFX and animation studio executive producer Felix Crawshaw, Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron, Australian Ballet executive director Libby Christie, Australian Society of Authors CEO Juliet Rogers and Sydney Dance Company executive director Anne Dunn.
Accepting the award, the Aquarius duo said: “We are extremely honoured to be recognised for what we do. We believe in the importance of telling Australian stories and showcasing the amazing diversity and talent of the Australian film and television industry.”
Last year Aquarius released three films: Garth Davis’ Lion (produced in league with See-Saw Films), Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome and Kate Hickey’s feature documentary Roller Dreams. The firm also produced with eOne the Stan Original series The Other Guy.
Its slate includes Dirt Music, the long-awaited adaptation of the Tim Winton novel to be directed by Gregor Jordan (Buffalo Soldiers, Ned Kelly, Two Hands).
Also in development is How (Not) to Start an Orphanage, based on the book by Tara Winkler and Lynda Delacey, which Jen Peedom is attached to direct.
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