10 November 2023
Recognising the challenges faced by regional creatives, the Helpmann Academy with support from the Ross Family, have launched the inaugural Elise Ross Regional Award, to provide support specifically for emerging creatives based in regional South Australia.
The Elise Ross Regional Award 2024 is valued at up to $5,000 and will generously be offered in perpetuity. The award will assist emerging visual and performing artists based in regional South Australia to overcome barriers presented by distance and population size, with creative and professional development opportunities.
Having grown up in regional South Australia, Elise Ross knows the challenges faced by regional creatives. “I am all too familiar with the obstacles young regional people face when trying to pursue their passion. There just isn’t the same access to support or professional development as is available to creatives based in, or around major cities. We want to try and help change this and support emerging regional creatives to chase successful careers in the Arts” shared Elise.
On Thursday night key supporters came together for an intimate cocktail reception hosted by the Helpmann Academy and Macquarie Group Foundation, to celebrate and recognise our achievements of the past year and to support local, emerging creatives.
Guests enjoyed acrobatic performances from Sam Matthewman and Amelia Walmsley, artworks from Stephanie Doddridge, and music by Millie Curry and Edmund Black. Sam was this year’s recipient of the British School at Rome residency, generously supported by David McKee AO, Pam McKee, and the Lang Family Foundation. Stephanie was this year’s resident at 215 Magill, as supported by Mark and Emily Jones. Millie was this year’s recipient of the Award for Voice, made possible through the generosity of Dr Rob Lyons, and supported by Kim Norman and family and the University of Adelaide. And Edmund was this year’s recipient of the A Night of Jazz, Tommy Norman Award.
At the event, the inaugural winner of the Elise Ross Regional Award was announced by Nick and Elise Ross.
Introducing the first recipient of this award, Brendan Godfrey.
Brendan is a writer and director living and working in Port Augusta West. He completed a Bachelor of Media Arts (Film and Television) at the University of South Australia.
He has made several no-budget narrative, documentary and experimental short films that have appeared in local film festivals such as Underexposed and the Fleurieu Film Festival. He was also a producer and cinematographer for the SA Screen Awards-nominated and Sony Catchlight Festival Student Award runner-up short Nature Therapy (2020).
He recently completed his first funded short as writer/director – Paper Cuts – which is currently on its festival run and recently screened as part of Morbido Fest 2023 in Mexico. He currently works in regional South Australia producing television commercials for local broadcast.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the Elise Ross Regional Award – the award will help support me to undertake targeted development as a director and expand my networks in the local and national film making communities,” shared Brendan.
Jane MacFarlane, CEO, Helpmann Academy said that the Helpmann Academy is thrilled to offer this award for 2024 and in perpetuity, to spearhead meaningful opportunities to regional artists in South Australia.
“We know how hard it is for regional artists to access the same opportunities as their city counterparts, so we are delighted to be facilitating this professional development opportunity for Brendan. There’s a lovely synergy there as well as we were formed in honour of South Australia’s iconic actor and dancer, Sir Robert Helpmann, who was born in Mount Gambier. We’re really thrilled to be making an impact to regional emerging creatives,” said Jane.
The Elise Ross Regional Award will assist Brendan to attend the AFTRS Directing Intensive in Sydney, The Director’s Role Mercury Launch Lab, and Marketing & Festivals Mercury Launch Lab.
The Elise Ross Regional Award 2024 is proudly supported by the Ross Family.
Watch the video from Brendan here.
Image: Behind the scenes on Paper Cuts by Jason Rees.