By Travis Johnson
Prolific Australian producer Sue Milliken, whose latest work is the Bruce Beresford-directed literary adaptation Ladies in Black, will receive the Chauvel Award at this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival later this month. The award will be presented on June 28 at a special industry event, Jenny Cooney In Conversation With Sue Milliken, a retrospective of Milliken’s illustrious career.
Milliken will be the 20th recipient of the Chauvel Award, which is named for Australian filmmakers Charles and Elsa Chauvel and acknowledges individuals who have made a significant contribution to Australian screen industry.
With a career dating back to the ’60s, Milliken has produced a truly impressive body of work, including The Fringe Dwellers, Black Robe, Sirens, Dating the Enemy, My Brother Jack, a whopping 66 episodes of Farscape, and the Indigenous films Crocodile Story and The Redfern Story.
“This award is very special to me,” said Sue Milliken. “I have always been a great admirer of Charles and Elsa Chauvel, who were pioneers of our industry with a grand vision for Australian films and Australian stories. It is such an honour to stand in their shadow.”
Milliken was selected by the 2018 Chauvel Award Committee, which includes film critic and TV personality David Stratton; producer Jan Chapman (The Piano, Lantana); producer Melanie Coombs (Harvey Krumpet); film industry veteran, actor and producer Alan Finney; film historian Professor Emeritus Bruce Molloy and Screen Queensland’s CEO, Tracey Vieira.
“The Gold Coast Film Festival has brought new life to the Chauvel Award that honours Charles and Elsa Chauvel, pioneers of the Queensland film industry, ” Ms Vieira said. “Screen Queensland is proud to sponsor the festival and we applaud their work in celebrating Australian filmmakers through the Chauvel Award and believe outstanding female producer, Sue Milliken, is the ideal 2018 recipient.”
Sue
Well deserved and congratulations to Sue on a well deserved award. You and Bruce have produced a great show. Saw it last night with my wife and loved it. The audience -(theatre was 80% full at Bondi Junction) also appeared very appreciative of the movie. Acting, CGI, story were all great.
George
Sue Jan and I just loved your latest movie…. We are just the right age to remember David Jones at Christmas time, the trams, Holden cars, the “new Australians” and people like Shane! No swearing, no sex, no violence. Just a lovely, feel good movie.
Congratulations from Exeter