4 December 2024
The Neil Curnow Award is made possible by the generous bequest of the late Neil Curnow, a remarkable figure in Adelaide’s theatre community.
Throughout his illustrious career as an actor, director, teacher, and voice coach, Neil’s dedication to the arts left an enduring impact. Through his bequest to the Independent Arts Foundation, he established this prestigious award to support emerging South Australian theatre practitioners. We are proud to honour his legacy through this ongoing opportunity.
The Neil Curnow Award provides a unique, life-changing opportunity for emerging South Australian creatives to advance their careers in acting, theatre development, or directing.
We are thrilled to announce that Julia Vosnakis, Flinders University, is the recipient of the Neil Curnow Award.
After graduating from Flinders University Drama Centre with First Class Honours and receiving the Flinders University Medal, Julia debuted professionally as Chloe in Windmill Theatre’s Amphibian (2021/22). She co-founded The Corseted Rabbits theatre group, co-producing and starring in Di and Viv and Rose, which premiered at RUMPUS Theatre in 2022 and was supported by the Helpmann Academy.
Julia later starred alongside Rebekah Elmaloglou in Bina Bhattacharya’s feature film From All Sides (2024), which premiered at Marché du Film as part of the Festival de Cannes. This early success established her as one of South Australia’s emerging talents, drawing comparisons to Sarah Snook and Teresa Palmer, as recognised by The Advertiser.
Passionate about diversity in storytelling, Julia developed her Greek-centred rom-com The Disappointments under the Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship with writer/director/producer Bina Bhattacharya. Proud of her Greek-Australian heritage, she seeks to challenge cultural stereotypes and promote inclusivity through her work.
In 2025, Julia will embark on a month-long intensive training experience in Los Angeles, attending prestigious institutions such as the Ivana Chubbuck Studio and The Groundlings. During her time there, she will also engage with industry professionals to build networks, explore collaboration opportunities, and enhance her skills.
Julia’s focus will be on developing her expertise in comedy, improvisation, and film acting, equipping herself with the tools needed to excel in these fields and advance her career.
The Neil Curnow Award has come at the perfect time for Julia.
“Receiving the Neil Curnow Award, facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation, is an incredible honour. Not only is this award a meaningful validation of my progress and promise as an emerging artist, but it also represents a pivotal step towards becoming the successful actor, writer, and producer I aspire to be. It enables me to refine my skills in comedy, storytelling, and screen acting at world-class institutions in Los Angeles. I’m deeply grateful for this chance to grow as an artist within the film industry and bring these new skills back to Kaurna Land, fostering collaboration on my upcoming film and comedy projects,” said Julia.
You can follow Julia’s journey here.
Applications for the Neil Curnow Award 2026 open late in 2025.
The award is facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation.
Images: (1) Julia Vosnakis by Diana Melfi (2) As Di, in Di and Viv and Rose by HJKB Photography. Supplied (3) In Remote Encounter by Laura Kennedy (4) As Di, in Di and Viv and Rose by HJKB Photography (4) From All Sides. Image courtesy of artist.