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Kate Dennis, Luke Davies to be honoured at 2017 AiF Awards

Kate Dennis. 

Director Kate Dennis will be honoured as a trailblazing woman in Hollywood at this year’s Australians in Film (AiF) Awards.

Dennis, who is currently up for an Emmy for her work on The Handmaid’s Tale and recently wrapped on Hoodlum’s Harrow, will receive this year’s Create NSW Annette Kellerman Award at the AiF event in Hollywood October 18. The award was established last year to recognise a screen industry figure who has been a pioneering role model for Australian women.

On receiving the prize, Dennis said: “I am so thrilled to accept this honour from Australians in Film. The Australian film community here in LA is so full of talent, and so full of support — I feel lucky to be a part of it.”

Lion scribe Luke Davies will receive the Fox Studios Australia International Award, which recognises a behind-camera creative who has achieved excellence internationally.

“It’s been ten years now since I set out to see what might happen if I dove into LA and the great unknown. At times along the way, when that seemed like the loneliest and most stupid and unworkable plan, it was always a gang of Australians who kept me anchored,” said Davies.

“In fact, I never felt so Australian as when I was 10,000 miles from home and supported by these friends. So it’s a hugely pleasant surprise to be recognised by the group that does so much for Australian film here in the US.”

Also to receive a prize are Disney’s VP film and television production planning Mary Ann Hughes and senior VP of production finance Paul Steinke. Both executives, who were instrumental in bringing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Thor: Ragnarok to Australia, will be presented with the Ausfilm International Award for their contribution to the Australian film industry.

Australians in Film president Kate Marks said: “AiF is extremely proud of Luke and Kate and the celebrated work they are producing for audiences globally. Mary Ann and Paul have always been big supporters of the Australian screen industry and we are thrilled to honour them at our Awards.  Their work at Disney has created many jobs back home, provided opportunities for our technicians to develop their skills and injected millions of dollars into the Australian economy.”

 The sixth annual Australians in Film Awards will be held October 18 at the Neuehouse Hollywood, hosted by Patrick Brammall.