John Edwards, one of Australia's most prolific and successful Television creators, has today been named recipient of the Australian Film Television and Radio School Honorary Degree (MA), at the 2011 student graduation ceremony held at Carriage Works, Eveleigh. He was joined at the ceremony by the MInsiter for the Arts The Honorable Simon Crean, who delivered the key note speech to the 700 strong audience of students, families and friends, industry peers and teachers as they celebrated the achievements of all graduates at Australia's national screen arts and broadcast school.
As the Honorary Degree recipient, John Edwards joins a select group of significant Australian film and television industry leaders including John Doyle, Dr George Miller, Baz Luhrmann and Jan Chapman. It is awarded in recognition of his exceptional contribution to television over a career spanning 30 years.
This degree is only awarded to the highest achievers, and is not necessarily granted every year. It therefore remains one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a creative screen arts and broadcast practitioner.
Edwards said today "I'm so chuffed. This work is huge fun, and to be honoured for it, well, that's even better."
John Edwards has produced almost 600 hours of television drama and his television productions have won 19 Logie Awards and 30 AFI Awards amongst others. From the early days with the feature film The Empty Beach (1985) starring Bryan Brown, John Edwards has consistently created some of the highest rating and admired Australian entertainment. His producing and co-producing credits include such highlights as Cyclone Tracy (1986), Police Rescue (1990-95), The Secret Life of Us (2001), The Surgeon (2005), Love My Way (2004-07), Rush (2008-10), Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo (2011), Tangle (2009-11), Offspring (2010-11), Spirited (2010-11), and the upcoming series Beaconsfield (2012).
Presenting the degree to Edwards was Claudia Karvan, one of Australia's best-loved actors, and more recently Co-Producer of acclaimed TV series such as Spirited and Love My Way. She has worked closely with John Edwards on these productions, and was excited to be part of this eminent recognition of his work.
Annually, AFTRS also bestow an array of rich and practical awards to a selection of outstanding students, with several awards this year bestowed to two recipients instead of the traditional one.
The AV Myers Indigenous Award for exceptional talent was presented by renowned filmmaker Rachel Perkins, on behalf of Andrew Myer, to Cornel Ozies (Graduate Diploma Cinematography) and John Harvey (previous graduate of AFTRS), both receiving a grant of $20,000. Rachel also presented the Kenneth B Myer Scholarship for exceptional talent to Flynn Wheeler and the Kenneth B Myer Award for project development to Lisa Shaunessy, both also receiving $20,000 in grant money.
Ian Darling, award winning documentary filmmaker from Shark Island Production Company, presented the Shark Island Foundation Award for Documentary to Simon Cunich who received $5000 in prize money and $5000 for outreach. Annette Cohen was given a honourable mention receiving $2000 in prize money.
The FOXTEL Scholarship for Exceptional New Talent was presented by Jacqui Feeney, FOXTEL Head of Content Partnerships, to Stephen McCallum, bringing with it a $20,000 grant to support development of a project in his first year after graduation. Kacie Anning was also awarded $10,000 as a special mention in this category.
Each year AFTRS partners with a different European country to present the European Union Travelling Scholarship. This year Witold Krzesiński, First Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland presented the award to Stephen McCallum who received return flights, accommodation and an invitation to attend the Krakow Film Festival.
AFTRS CEO Sandra Levy congratulated all graduating students today, praising them as "an amazing cohort of vital, talented and highly skilled individuals." She said "I have total confidence in their ability to navigate the adventure they are embarking on today, taking the challenges, twists and turns that a career in the screen and broadcast arts will present them. Our tagline for 2012 was 'Leading the Way' and I have no doubt that you will find our graduates doing this in years to come".
The Australian Film Television and Radio School is extremely proud to present its graduating alumni of 2011, and is assured of their contribution to the screen arts and broadcast industries of Australia over the coming years.
For all media enquiries or interview requests please contact:
Susan Hoerlein at The Lantern Group on susan@lanterngroup.com.au or (02) 9383 4034
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