Media releases - 0 Tony Briggs awarded the 0 Bob Maza Fellowship

Screen Australia today announced Tony Briggs as the 2013 Bob Maza Fellowship recipient at the agency's Jobs, Dollars, Hearts & Minds conference in Canberra.

The $10,000 fellowship is awarded bi-annually and this year was open to furthering an established Indigenous actor or film practitioner's career opportunities and professional development internationally.

Tony Briggs is an acclaimed writer and actor for theatre, film and television and an aspiring director of television drama and feature film.

Erica Glynn, Head of Screen Australia's Indigenous Department, said, In providing this fellowship opportunity, Screen Australia pays tribute to Bob Maza's passion and commitment to the film and entertainment industry. Tony is an incredibly talented and creative person who has already achieved so much in his career in film and television. We are proud to be able to offer him an opportunity to explore his directing talent internationally, where we know he will continue to achieve great things.

On receiving the fellowship Tony Briggs said, Receiving this fellowship is a personal thrill for me and a great honour. It's particularly poignant to me, because my first professional job was with Uncle Bob. He personally mentored me and was just such a great inspiration, so it's come full circle. I'm really proud to receive this award - it's one that honours the memory of a true gentleman and a person I've always looked up to.

Tony Briggs's feature film The Sapphires, which he co-wrote for the screen with Keith Thompson, was adapted from Tony's award-winning theatre production and grossed over $14.4 million at the box office in Australia, making it the most successful Australian film of 2012. The film received a standing ovation at its world premiere at the 65th Cannes Film Festival and is currently in release in the US by the Weinstein Company having grossed over $2.2 million to date. The Sapphires won 11 AACTA Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and Tony also received AWGIE Awards for the Most Outstanding Script of 2012 and Best Feature Film Adaptation.

The Sapphires theatre production enjoyed triumphant sell-out seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, winning two Helpmann Awards for Best New Australian Work and Best Play in 2005.

Tony is the co-originator and writer on the upcoming ABC Television drama series The Athletes from acclaimed director/producer Robert Connolly. He also has a comedy drama feature film project in development, The Grip, to be directed by David Field.

As an actor Tony has appeared prolifically in film and television, his latest role being in ABC Television's upcoming drama The Broken Shore.

Media Enquiries

Teri Calder T: 02 8113 5833; M: 0408 440 995

teri.calder@screenaustralia.gov.au

LINK:	http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2013/mr_130618_BobMa...
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