The Cecil Holmes Award was named for Cecil Holmes, a filmmaker of the 70s whose work was largely unheralded, and who was later instrumental in mentoring a number of directors during the 70s film renaissance. Previous recipients have included producers, directors, and the indigenous filmmakers who created the Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association.

Cecil Holmes award 2010 - 2011

In recognition of the invaluable work of the Indigenous branch of the AFC (and Screen Australia) in giving directors a creative voice, the ADG board awarded the Cecil Holmes Award to Sally Riley and Erica Glynn on behalf of, and in recognition of the work done by the many individuals working with the unit, whose collective contributions helped the Indigenous unit nurture, support, and foster the talents of directors at a critical point in their development.

The unit encouraged directors (creators) to express themselves cinematically, and gave them a unique and individual voice in filmmaking, especially in screen drama. In a world where finance, box office and ratings increasingly rule, the work produced through the unit reminds us how important the creative voice is in our story-telling, and that writer-directors flourish when they are supported and given the creative freedom to find their voice and share that with a wide audience.

The award was presented at the Crowne Plaza Adelaide as a part of the ADG conference in Adelaide in February, 2011.

Past Recipients

2009 Paul Cox
2008 Tom Zubrycki
2007 Donald Crombie
2006 Rolf de Heer
2005 John Maynard
2004 Amanda Higgs
2003 John Flaus
2002 Michael Thornhill
2001 Tim Bustall
1999 Lilias Fraser
1998 Philip Batty
1997 Freda Glynn
1996 Gil Brealy
1995 Richard Mason