AFI to form ‘Australian Academy’
The AFI has voted to launch an ‘Australian Academy’ after 84 percent of screen industry members and key industry organisations surveyed were in support of the move.
The move towards an academy aims to improve national and international recognition of Australia’s screen practitioners and see a change of date to the awards from December to January to align closer with the international awards season, and the likes of the BAFTAS and the AMPAS.
The academy will comprise of accredited professionals only and include an established “Honorary Council” consisting of key industry members, including representatives from each of the crafts and guilds.
AFI CEO Damian Trewhella said in a statement, “The ‘Australian Academy’ will draw upon some of the well recognised and understood elements of the AMPAS (USA) and BAFTA (UK) models, while tailoring these to meet local industry needs and traditions, and to ensure that our awards are still distinctly Australian.
“By drawing on international models, we anticipate greater recognition both here and abroad for Australia’s most talented screen practitioners. We envisage that this will lead to greater opportunities for those working in the industry, as well as greater audience recognition and connection with Australian screen content.”
The idea to form an Australian Academy was announced in on 1 June, with a month’s period of consultation.
The academy has not been given a title yet, but the AFI confirmed it would retain its name in recognition of the strong heritage of both Australian screen culture and the Institute itself . All past AFI Awards nominees and winners will be recognised under the new academy.
According to AFI Chair, Alan Finney, “A key driver behind the proposed Academy and Honorary Council is a desire to be inclusive of and to better represent all screen professions. Ultimately we want to foster a community which connects those working within the industry, but which also connects our screen enthusiast public with the industry and the fantastic content being creating.”
