IntroductionThis section of the Screen Australia website contains material of interest to the Australian film and video industry, particularly the documentary sector.
If there is additional information that you think might be useful, please let us know.
Film Australia/Holding Redlich - Introduction to Copyright and Related Issues for Documentary Filmmakers (Acrobat PDF Document, 424kb).
Film Australia 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
He was presented the award on 20 February 2008.
Download a transcript of David Bradburys acceptance speech (Acrobat PDF Document, 140kb).
Michael Gissing, the legendary sound recordist received the 2007 Film Australia Stanley Hawes Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian documentary sector.
"This year it was clear that there was one 'quiet achiever' that had had a major impact on the sector through contributing his skill and expertise to over 720 Australian documentaries," said Film Australia CEO Daryl Karp as she presented the award.
Mike Gissing started his career in television and in 1984 he moved into digital sound post-production. Digital City Studios has remained at the leading edge of the sound industry specialising in documentary.
The $5,000 Film Australia Stanley Hawes Award was established in 1987 to honour the first producer in chief of the Australian National Film Board and Commonwealth Film Unit. The award recognises the tremendous amount of support he has given independent filmmakers in the documentary sector, including being price conscious and bringing his intelligence and sensitivity to the task.
In accepting the award at a screening of The Bridge at Film Australia Mike Gissing thanked his team at Digital City Studio, family and friends.
He said: "It is the ability of documentary to spread knowledge that sets it apart from its flashier cousin – the drama. I nearly got side tracked by a TV drama series many years ago and count it as an important moment in my career when the job went to another studio. My enduring enthusiasm comes from both the content and the people I work with. Doco people are special."
He was presented the award on 12 March.
Download a transcript of his acceptance speech (Acrobat PDF Document, 128kb).
Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship that involves a more experienced person helping a less experienced person to achieve their goals. Find out about all available mentoring programs and initiatives for screen industry practioners in Australia.
Download research that covers mentoring issues and links to a wide variety of mentoring programs available through all state and national agencies.
A website that will host a mentoring matchmaking service will be coming soon.
A Film Australia, Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) initiative.
Click here to download the Mentor Billboard Information Kit. (Acrobat PDF Document, 440kb).
Independent Victorian producer/director/writer John Hughes is the recipient of the 2006 Stanley Hawes Award for outstanding contribution to Australian documentary, presented by Film Australia.
Hughes has had a career spanning nearly 30 years, producing and directing works that are recognised for being challenging and innovative, in form and content. He is also well known as an intelligent, well-informed and thoughtful contributor to local documentary production, culture and policy development, through teaching, mentoring and writing, plus researching and presenting Australia's film history.
Hughes has created a significant body of work,including the award-winning River of Dreams, politically challenging After Mabo, the acclaimed drama feature What I Have Written and - in collaboration with Betty Churcher - Take 5, The Art of War and upcoming Hidden Treasures. He was Commissioning Editor, Documentary with SBS Independent from 1998 to 2001, and has taught cinema studies, documentary and television studies with the Department of Visual Arts at Monash University from 1990 to 1994. He has worked in many formats, including cinema, television and gallery exhibitions, plus cross-platform projects.
Hughes's work has also frequently focussed on Australian cultural history, including his most recent film, The Archive Project, a decade-long labour of love on the Melbourne Realist Film Movement.
He was presented the award on 15 February.
Download a transcript of his acceptance speech (Acrobat PDF Document, 280kb).
Film Australia hosted the first meeting of the Footage Industry Group for 2003 on Thursday 27 February 2003. Rachel Perkins (filmmaker), Terry Janke (Indigenous lawyer), Elizabeth Beal (Supervising Legal Officer, Arts Law Centre of Australia) and Michael McMahon (producer) lead a discussion about the licensing or releasing of audiovisual material that may be culturally or ethically sensitive.
Download a transcript of the event (Acrobat PDF Document, 65kb).
- Film and Television Industry
- Gateways for Specific Interests
- Professional Directories, Services and Training
- Online Publications and Guides
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.abc.net.au
AFI (Australian Film Institute)
http://www.afi.org.au
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
http://www.acmi.net.au
Australian Caption Centre
http://www.auscap.com.au
CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association)
http://www.caama.com.au
Channel Nine
http://www.ninemsn.com.au
Channel Seven
http://www.seven.com.au
Channel Ten
http://www.ten.com.au
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
http://www.arts.gov.au/
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
http://www.dbcde.gov.au/
FTO (NSW Film & Television Office)
http://www.ftosyd.nsw.gov.au
Film and Television Association of the Northern Territory
http://www.fatant.net.au
Film Central NSW (for locations)
http://www.filmcentralnsw.com
Film Victoria
http://www.film.vic.gov.au
The Movie Show
http://www.sbs.com.au/movieshow/
National Film and Sound Archive
http://www.nfsa.afc.gov.au
Pacific Film & Television Commission
http://www.pftc.com.au
SAFC (South Australian Film Corporation)
http://www.safilm.com.au
Screen Tasmania
http://www.screentas.tas.gov.au
Screenrights
http://www.screen.org
SBS (Special Broadcasting Service)
http://www.sbs.com.au
ScreenWest
http://www.screenwest.wa.gov.au
The following are gateways to specific areas of interest on the internet. They'll take you to hundreds of related sites.
Australian Screen
http://australianscreen.com.au
Australia's Cultural Network
http://www.acn.net.au
Australian Libraries Gateway
http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries
The Black Book (portal to Indigenous media and the arts in Australia)
http://www.blackbook.afc.gov.au
Commonwealth Government Entry Point
http://www.australia.gov.au
Education Network Australia
http://www.edna.edu.au
enhanceTV (linking educators and the film and television industries)
http://www.enhancetv.com.au
Film Festivals
http://www.afc.gov.au/marketingyourfilm/festivals/default.aspx
KooriNet
http://www.koori.usyd.edu.au
Regional Arts Australia
http://www.regionalarts.com.au
These sites may be of interest to people working in the film and television industry.
ACT Filmmakers' Network
www.actfilmnet.org.au
ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media)
http://www.metromagazine.com.au/metro/frm.htm?highlight=8
ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) ACT
www.atomact.org
Australian Cinematographers Society
http://www.acs.asn.au
Australian Screen Directors Association
http://www.asdafilm.org.au
Australian Screen Editors
http://www.screeneditors.com
Australian Film Television & Radio School
http://www.aftrs.edu.au
Australian Writers Guild
http://www.awg.com.au
FTI (Film & Television Institute WA Inc)
http://www.fti.asn.au
Global Film School
http://www.globalfilmschool.com
Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance
http://www.alliance.org.au
Metro Screen
http://www.metroscreen.com.au
MRC (Media Resource Centre)
http://www.mrc.org.au
Open Channel
http://www.openchannel.org.au
Oz Media Match directory for freelancers & facilities
http://www.ozmedia-match.com
Ozdox - Australian Documentary Forum
http://www.ozdox.org
Screen Producers Association of Australia
http://www.spaa.org.au
Victorian College of the Arts (Film & Television Schools)
http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
Women in Film & Television (NSW)
http://www.wift.org
A selection of online publications and guides to the film and television industry.
Encore online
http://www.encoremagazine.com.au
Filmink
http://www.filmink.com.au
Filmnet Online Newsletter
http://www.filmnet.org.au
IF magazine
http://www.if.com.au
The Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com
The Production Book Online (including Media Day)
http://www.pb.com.au
Metro Magazine (including Australian Screen Education)
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
RealTime/OnScreen
http://www.realtimearts.net
Senses of Cinema
http://www.sensesofcinema.com
Urban Cinefile
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au
Variety
http://www.variety.com