HISTORIC NOMINATIONS FOR QLD PRODUCTIONS AT 2006 AFI AWARDS

The quality of film and television productions shot in Queensland has been recognised in the nominations for this year’s AFI Awards, Arts Minister Rod Welford said today.

Mr Welford said Queensland-made productions had garnered 21 nominations for the country’s oldest and most prestigious film and television awards.

“There’s a definite Smart State feel to this year’s AFI Awards with a range of productions with Queensland connections nominated for awards,” Mr Welford said.

“There’s no denying the film and television industry provides valuable jobs and economic growth in the state.

“However, cultural growth is equally important so it is tremendous to see so many productions backed by our Government nominated for their artistic and technical expertise.”

Mr Welford said the nominations included an historic first, with Charles Passi being the first Torres Strait Islander to be nominated for an AFI Award.

Mr Passi was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for his work on the television series RAN (Remote Area Nurse).

The Government’s Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC) provided script development and investment funding for RAN. The series was shot on location in the Torres Strait on MasigIsland where many locals took part in the production.

In total, the mini-series RAN received nine nominations including Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for star Susie Porter.

“This is a remarkable achievement for Charles Passi and the other nominated cast and crew, not to mention well deserved as RAN was an outstanding production,” said Mr Welford.

Mr Welford also congratulated local producer Carlos Alperin on his nominations for Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Editing for the documentary Raul the Terrible.

The children’s television series Mortified, which PFTC invested in and was shot at the Warner Brothers Studios on the Gold Coast, has four AFI nominations.

The feature film Kokoda, shot in the Gold Coast hinterland and financially supported by PFTC, was nominated for two awards while the mini-series Answered By Fire which also received investment from PFTC was nominated for three awards.

Below is the list of AFI nominations which received support through the Government’s PFTC.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985

AFI Nominations for Queensland-based productions

Young Actor Award
Marny Kennedy - Mortified (Nine Network)

Visual Effects Award
Phil Stuart-Jones - Kokoda

Best Children’s Television Drama
Mortified – Phillip Bowman & Bernadette O’Mahony (Nine Network)

Best Telefeature or Mini Series
Answered by Fire – Roger Le Mesurier & Andrew Walker (ABC)
RAN – Penny Chapman (SBS)

Best Direction in Television
Answered by Fire – Jessica Hobbs (ABC)
Mortified Ep. 1 - Pino Amenta (Nine Network)

Best Screenplay in Television
Mortified Ep. 1 – Angela Webber (Nine Network)
RAN Ep. 5 – Sue Smith (SBS)

Best Lead Actor in Television Drama
David Wenham – Answered by Fire (ABC)
Charles Passi – RAN (SBS)

Best Lead Actress in Television Drama
Susie Porter – RAN (SBS)

Best Guest or Supporting Actor in Television Drama
Luke Carroll – RAN (SBS)
Aaron Fa’aoso – RAN (SBS)

Best Guest or Supporting Actress in Television Drama
Margaret Harvey – RAN (SBS)
Merwez Whaleboat – RAN (SBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Television Screen Craft
Ian Jones ACS (Cinematography) – RAN (SBS)

AFI Award for Best Documentary
Raul the Terrible – Carlos Alperin

Best Direction in a Documentary
Raul the Terrible – David Bradbury

Best Editing in a Documentary
Raul the Terrible – Stewart Young ASE

Best Costume Design
Kokoda – Phill Eagles