International film star Jack Thompson and broadcasters Indira Naidoo and CNN’s Anjali Rao are to present the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Tuesday, November 13.
They will be joined by eminent film critic Peter Thompson and musicians William Barton and Amy Dickson in a ceremony which will acclaim filmmaking in the Asia-Pacific region that best reflects its cultural origins and cinematic excellence.
At the Ceremony, Awards will be given for the following achievements:
- Best Feature Film
- Best Animated Feature Film
- Best Documentary Feature Film
- Best Children’s Feature Film
- Achievement in Directing
- Best Screenplay
- Achievement in Cinematography
- Best Performance by an Actress
- Best Performance by an Actor
- FIAPF Award for outstanding achievement in film in the Asia-Pacific region
- UNESCO Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film.
An Australian film legend, Jack Thompson AM, has been in the forefront of the Australian cinema scene since 1969. His career has seen him travel across the cinema globe – featuring in more than 50 films and receiving every major Australian film award, including his nomination as a Living Legend (2005 IF Awards). For his service to the Australian film industry, Jack Thompson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986.
He has recently been filming in the United States on George Clooney’s romantic comedy Leatherheads and is currently in Australia working on the epic Baz Luhrmann film Australia.
Indira Naidoo is one of Australia’s most popular news broadcasters and has, for the past 16 years, presented and reported for the country’s most distinguished news and current affairs programs, including ABC’s Late Edition nightly news and SBS TV’s World News Tonight.
Anjali Rao co-anchors CNN’s prime-time evening news and business show World News Asia live from CNN’s regional production centre in Hong Kong. She also hosts Talk Asia, the half-hour regional chat show. Anjali has covered major news stories including the attacks of 9/11, the Asian tsunami, the aftermath of the Bali bombings, the war in Iraq and the South Asian earthquake.
Peter Thompson was, for many years, the highly regarded film critic for the current affairs program Sunday. He also presents for subscription television channel Showtime and recently hosted the Ovation Masterclass filmmaker series.
Leading Australian didjeridu player and composer, William Barton and internationally renowned saxophonist, Amy Dickson will perform at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony.
“I welcome the announcement of this highly credentialed team of presenters and performers, who each share a passion for film and the cultures of the Asia-Pacific region, and am thrilled that they will bring their considerable expertise and talents to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony,” said Asia Pacific Screen Awards Chairman, Des Power.
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards, as Executive Producer, has contracted leading television producers Grubstreet Media and internationally renowned post production company Cutting Edge, to produce the television programs linked to the inaugural 2007 Awards.
Scene By Scene – Films of Asia Pacific, will screen on CNN International in the lead up to the Awards ceremony, on November 10 and 11. The second program, Scene By Scene – Best Films of Asia Pacific, incorporates the Awards Ceremony and will screen around the world on November 17 and 18.
Consultant to the Awards program is famed television producer and director, Peter Faiman who was responsible for directing the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the bi-centennial celebration Australia Live. Peter has created, produced and directed thousands of hours of award-winning and critically acclaimed television in Australia, the UK and the US. He was awarded The Order of Australia for his contribution to the media and arts. Peter’s movie credits include directing the block buster feature Crocodile Dundee.
Director of the Awards program is John Smith. John Smith has worked in the television industry for 34 years. His directing credits include the live broadcasts of the Gallipoli Live Anzac Day Service, the music game show Spicks and Specks, the AFI Awards and the CHOGM Opening Ceremony.
Supervising Producer of the Awards Ceremony is Glyn Patrick, Production Executive is Prue Miller, Writer is John Muldrew, Set Designer is Michael Scott-Mitchell and Lighting Designer is Nick Schlieper.
The International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) has endorsed the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Charter.
The Director General of UNESCO has given his formal endorsement for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be conducted under the auspices of UNESCO.