Travis Johnson and Dov Kornits
Jennifer Peedom’s incredible documentary, Sherpa: Trouble On Everest, took home the 720 ABC Audience Choice Award – better known as the Golden Deckchair – at this year’s Perth International Arts Festival.
Shot during the disastrous 2014 climbing season on Mount Everest, the documentary is a moving and at times quite angering look at a people trapped between their traditional lifestyle and the economic demands of adventure tourism. Audiences awarded the film 895 out of a possible 1000 points, narrowly edging out the horse racing documentary, Dark Horse, which received 890.
Peedom remarked, “I’m thrilled that Sherpa has been so incredibly well received by audiences at the Perth International Arts Festival. It’s validating to know that the film is connecting with the Australian audience so well and this audience award is such a boost so early in our cinema release. A huge thanks to the audience for this prize.”
PIAF Film Program Manager Tom Vincent lauded Peedom’s film, saying “Its success at PIAF has shown me three things: the strength of connection that Perth feels with Nepal; of PIAF audiences’ adventurous spirit and thirst for excellent, unexpected storytelling, and that documentary films have a special place at PIAF, following wins by Searching For Sugar Man in 2012 and The Salt of the Earth last year, with Dark Horse a very close runner up this year,” he said.
“Hearty congratulations to Jennifer and all her collaborators, from all at PIAF. May you enjoy many more successes with your excellent film.”
The PIAF win coincides with the film passing $1 million at the local box office, as it continues to play in 30 cinema locations as of this week.
Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia: “What a thrill to see this truly spectacular Australian documentary resonating so strongly with audiences both here and abroad. Not only is it terrific that Australians are flocking to see Sherpa in local cinemas, but it’s also really exciting that audiences in 220 countries have also had the chance to see it in the past few weeks. This is an exceptional result and we offer our congratulations to director Jennifer Peedom, producer Bridget Ikin and all involved in the project.”
