by Chris Daniel
Introduced in 2015, with previous recipients the ilk of Laura Jones and Craig Pearce, the 2017 Australian Writers’ Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Andrew Knight.
Starting out writing for classic Australian comedy series such as The D Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal, Knight has since ventured out into dramatic territory, penning some of Australia’s best-loved shows, including Rake, Jack Irish and SeaChange.
In addition to his contributions on the small screen, he also co-wrote the multi award winning US-Australian war epic Hacksaw Ridge, historical drama The Water Diviner, and the upcoming Ali’s Wedding.
This year’s award will accompany many other accolades Knight has received, including AFI, Logie and AWGIE Awards, as well as being presented with the AACTA Longford Lyell Award in 2015. This year’s BAFTAs and Oscars saw Knight nominated for Hacksaw Ridge.
Knight mentioned how honoured he feels, stating that “as a writer you constantly feel like a canary in a mineshaft; unnoticed, ignored and unloved – so it is a great surprise to realise none of this is true.”
AWG president and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jan Sardi says Knights influence on the Australian film and television industry is impossible to overstate. “Not only is Andrew prolific, award-winning and one of the most successful screenwriters this country has ever produced, he is also in possession of a uniquely Australian voice and outlook.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the achievements of Australia’s most revered and admired writers, who have achieved both critical and commercial success and have made notable contributions to the national film and television culture.
Foxtel’s Group Director of Corporate Affairs, Bruce Meagher, expressed his admiration for Knight. “Andrew has been a true artistic beacon who has inspired a generation of Australian creative talent over the past three decades.”
Meagher will present Knight with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th Annual AWGIE Awards, which are to be held in Sydney on Friday August 25th.
