April Phillips’ kajoo yannaga wins Uncle Jack Charles Award 2024.

MELBOURNE, VIC – Kearney Group is proud to congratulate April Phillips as the winner of the 2024 Uncle Jack Charles Award, revealed tonight at Melbourne International Film Festival’s annual Awards Ceremony at Rydges Melbourne.

Phillips was recognised for her major new work kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together), a vivid and deeply imaginative animation that invites audiences into a world that feels both ancient and futuristic. Created in collaboration with Now or Never Festival, ACMI and RMIT, the piece showcases Phillips’ distinctive fusion of technicolour visuals, immersive sound design and character-driven storytelling.

In awarding the prize, the independent jury praised Phillips’ work, describing it as:

“This bold and refreshing animation made us all feel a childlike sense of wonder with its stunning technicolour visuals and immersive sound design that built a world that felt ancient and futuristic all at once. Lead artist April Phillips has a strong and clear artistic vision and we were all left wanting more.”

 

April Phillips’ work embodies the power, depth and creative range of First Nations storytellers.

Formerly known as the First Nations Film Creative Award, the Award was officially renamed this year in honour of Uncle Jack Charles — the actor, musician, activist and long-time MIFF champion.

The award is the richest First Nations film prize and recognises creatives working across directing, writing, producing, animation, acting, sound, editing and design. The winner receives $20,000 in cash and $25,000 in financial services from Kearney Group.

“Congratulations to April on this well-deserved recognition,” says Paul Kearney, Founder and CEO of Kearney Group.

“Her work is a brilliant example of the power, depth and creative range of First Nations storytellers. We’re honoured to continue our partnership with MIFF, and to celebrate Uncle Jack Charles’ immense legacy by recognising artists like April, whose creativity and vision enrich our cultural landscape.”

 

Outstanding 2024 shortlist and jury.

Kearney Group acknowledges the outstanding 2024 shortlisted creatives:

• Jon Bell — The Moogai
• Semara Jose — Voice
• Danielle MacLean — Like My Brother
• Jake Duczynski — Magic Beach

We would also like to thank the independent jury, including film veteran and producer Trisha Morton-Thomas (High Country, Total Control), production executive Davey Thompson (All My Friends Are Racist); and actor and writer Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High).

 

MIFF 2024 runs in cinemas from 8–25 August, with the MIFF Awards taking place on Saturday 24 August at Rydges Melbourne.

Media Contact:
Annie Lillico Lewis
Head of Storytelling & Brand Strategy
+61 3 9428 8822 or email