Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman Rachel Perkins is one of the country’s most important storytellers, with a career spanning nearly 30 years.
Her story has the power and humanity to change the way Australians see themselves and others.
Last night, Perkins received the Australian Screen Award for Distinguished Service at the Screen Music Awards in Melbourne’s Naam. The awards are co-sponsored by proud Pijantjatjara, Warigmar, South Sea and German woman Elaine Crombie and recognize excellence and innovation. In the field of screen composition.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, which organizes the Screen Music Awards, said Perkins’ influence on Australian film was transformative.
“Her ability to tell stories that move and resonate with the heart and soul of this country has contributed to the way we see and understand ourselves, not just as Australians, but as citizens of the world.” he said. Through storytelling, we understand the power of film to bridge divides and reflect our struggles, triumphs, and common humanity. “Whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, her story is woven into the fabric of our national narrative.
“They ask us to look deeper, to understand more fully, to walk in the shoes of those whose experiences are different from ours.”
Perkins’ significant contribution to the Australian film and television industry includes films such as Bran Nue De, Jasper Johns, Marbo, Mystery Road, One Night at the Moon, Radiance, Redfern Now and The Australian Wars. culminated in award-winning television, feature films, and documentaries. Total Control In 1992, Perkins founded Blackfella Films, a production company focused on Indigenous representation and culturally significant stories told by and with Indigenous filmmakers. .
The award-winning seven-part documentary series First Australians (co-written, directed and co-produced by Perkins) is Blackfella Films’ standout production and Australia’s best-selling educational title.
From 2004 to 2008, Perkins served on the Australian Film Commission and since 2009 has been a distinguished member of the Screen Australia Board. Earlier this year, Perkins was appointed chair of the Australian Film, Television and Radio Schools Council, the organization she held from 1998 to 2003. With this award, Perkins joins a collection of accolades that include multiple AACTA (Australian Film Academy) awards. Television Arts), ADG (Australian Directors Guild) and AFI (Australian Film Industry) Awards.
In 2011, he won the Australian International Documentary Council Stanley Hawes Award for his contribution to documentary filmmaking in Australia, and in 2017 he won the National Dreamtime Award for his contribution to film and culture. received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
