Announcing the Nominees for the Uncle Jack Charles Award at MIFF 2024.

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has proudly unveiled the nominees for the 2024 MIFF Awards, featuring one of the world’s largest prize pools of over $300,000 AUD. Among this year’s highlights are the nominees for the Uncle Jack Charles Award, created in collaboration with Kearney Group.

 

Uncle Jack Charles Award Renamed to Honour a Legend.

The First Nations Film Creative Award, a joint initiative by MIFF and Kearney Group, was first conceived and presented in 2023 to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives in filmmaking.

This year, the award has been renamed to honour the legendary actor, musician, and activist Uncle Jack Charles, recognising his profound impact on the arts and his enduring legacy as a champion for First Nations storytelling.

The Uncle Jack Charles Award honours excellence and commitment across various aspects of filmmaking, including directing, producing, screenwriting, composing, editing, cinematography, acting, production design, art direction, and sound design. Kearney Group is honoured to continue our collaboration with MIFF, supporting and celebrating Indigenous talent in the film industry.

 

2024 Nominees for the Uncle Jack Charles Award.

The 2024 nominees for the Uncle Jack Charles Award are:

• Jon Bell – Director/Writer, The Moogai
• Semara Jose – Co-director, Voice
• Danielle MacLean – Director, Like My Brother
• Jake Duczynski – Director/Writer/Animator, Magic Beach
• April Phillips – Director, kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together)

 

Jury for 2024 Uncle Jack Charles Award.

A panel of First Nation industry talents will select this year’s winner of the Uncle Jack Charles Award.

The panel includes: Bidjara, Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi producer, writer, actor and VicScreen Production Exec Davey Thompson (All My Friends are Racist); Kamilaroi actor and writer Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High); and Anmatyerr film veteran and producer, Trisha Morton-Thomas (High Country, Total Control).

“I’m so excited by the range of First Nations Australian storytellers using film and extended reality formats,” says Davey Thompson. “Thanks to MIFF and Kearney Group in establishing this Award in recognition of Uncle Jack Charles. It’s an honour to be a part of the jury.”

 

Stories heard and celebrated.

Paul Kearney, Founder and CEO of Kearney Group, echoed Thompson’s enthusiasm about the award and its significance:

“Congratulations to this year’s nominees,” says Paul. “We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with MIFF and shine the spotlight on some incredible First Nations film creatives, and the 65,000+ year legacy of storytelling on this continent. This year is particularly special as we honour the late, great Uncle Jack Charles – a creative powerhouse and a champion of MIFF, by presenting this award in his honour. This award is a testament to the extraordinary talent and cultural heritage of First Nations artists, and dedication to ensuring their stories are heard and celebrated.”

The Uncle Jack Charles Award offers a $20,000 cash prize along with $25,000 worth of financial services provided by Kearney Group.

Inaugural winners Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody received the prize in 2023 for their documentary, Kindred.

“We hope this prize provides some oxygen and financial support to these incredible artists, and helps them to imagine, explore and take the plunge into future projects,” says Paul.

This year’s winner will be announced at the 2024 MIFF Awards on Saturday, 24 August, at Rydges Melbourne.