Published Thursday, 30 October, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Record number of AFI Award nominations for Queensland
Queensland-made feature film Unfinished Sky is in line to dominate the L’oreal Paris 2008 Australia Film Institute (AFI) Awards, scoring 10 nominations for the prestigious industry accolades.
Arts Minister Rod Welford congratulated local production company New Holland Pictures on this impressive result, along with the raft of other Queenslanders and Queensland-based productions which have received AFI Award nominations.
“The AFI awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Australian film and television production,” Mr Welford said.
“I am thrilled by the record number of AFI Award nods received for Queensland projects in 2008 – a total of 22 nominations.
“These projects were all supported by our Government through the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC).
“The critically and popularly acclaimed hit Unfinished Sky, adapted by Peter Duncan from a Dutch feature film, continues its dream run in 2008 with 10 AFI nominations, including Best Film, Best Direction and Best Cinematography.
“Since its premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival in 2007, it has screened at festivals all over the world, taken over $1 million at the Australian box office, and last month received 12 Inside Film (IF) Awards nominations.
“The AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is certain to go to a Queenslander, with Unfinished Sky up against local indie hit All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane.”
Queensland documentary Rare Chicken Rescue, from director Randall Wood and producer Vickie Gest, is another multiple AFI Award nominee recognised in five categories.
Queensland-based children’s television programs H2O: Just Add Water and Animalia will vie for the Best Children’s Television Drama gong. Jonathon M. Shiff’s H2O has also been nominated for Visual Effects. Two of the stars of H2O have also been nominated for awards – Phoebe Tonkin for Best Lead Actress for a Television Drama; and Brittany Byrnes for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama.
Steve Baker and Damon Escott’s quirky Dog With Electric Collar has also received a nod for Best Short Animation.
“This is a terrific result for the Queensland screen industry and the PFTC, and I wish all our nominees the very best of luck for the awards ceremony,” Mr Welford said.
The 50th AFI Awards ceremony, held at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre on 6 December, will be broadcast on the Nine Network at 9.30pm.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Arts Minister Rod Welford congratulated local production company New Holland Pictures on this impressive result, along with the raft of other Queenslanders and Queensland-based productions which have received AFI Award nominations.
“The AFI awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Australian film and television production,” Mr Welford said.
“I am thrilled by the record number of AFI Award nods received for Queensland projects in 2008 – a total of 22 nominations.
“These projects were all supported by our Government through the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC).
“The critically and popularly acclaimed hit Unfinished Sky, adapted by Peter Duncan from a Dutch feature film, continues its dream run in 2008 with 10 AFI nominations, including Best Film, Best Direction and Best Cinematography.
“Since its premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival in 2007, it has screened at festivals all over the world, taken over $1 million at the Australian box office, and last month received 12 Inside Film (IF) Awards nominations.
“The AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is certain to go to a Queenslander, with Unfinished Sky up against local indie hit All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane.”
Queensland documentary Rare Chicken Rescue, from director Randall Wood and producer Vickie Gest, is another multiple AFI Award nominee recognised in five categories.
Queensland-based children’s television programs H2O: Just Add Water and Animalia will vie for the Best Children’s Television Drama gong. Jonathon M. Shiff’s H2O has also been nominated for Visual Effects. Two of the stars of H2O have also been nominated for awards – Phoebe Tonkin for Best Lead Actress for a Television Drama; and Brittany Byrnes for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama.
Steve Baker and Damon Escott’s quirky Dog With Electric Collar has also received a nod for Best Short Animation.
“This is a terrific result for the Queensland screen industry and the PFTC, and I wish all our nominees the very best of luck for the awards ceremony,” Mr Welford said.
The 50th AFI Awards ceremony, held at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre on 6 December, will be broadcast on the Nine Network at 9.30pm.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000