Producer Bridget Ikin, a passionate champion of new and innovative filmmaking, was named recipient of the Australian Film Television and Radio School’s Honorary Degree – a Doctor of Arts, Film and Television.
Ms Ikin was awarded the honour at the AFTRS’ 2017 graduation ceremony held today in Sydney.
Ms Ikin has produced award-winning films, short films, documentaries and moving image projects over many years in both Australia and New Zealand, including An Angel at My Table, directed by Jane Campion; Look Both Ways, directed by Sarah Watt; Sherpa, directed by Jen Peedom and Crush, directed by Alison Maclean.
She also collaborates with exceptional artists on multi-screen projects, including with Angelica Mesiti (who has recently been selected as Australia’s artist for the Venice Biennale 2019) and Hossein Valamanesh.
Bridget has been Head of SBS Independent, commissioning more than 400 hours of distinctive Australian television programming, and was the Associate Director – Film, of the Adelaide Festival 2002, under its maverick artistic director, Peter Sellars. During 2005-2006 she was a feature film Evaluation Manager at the FFC (now Screen Australia). She has also been a long-serving board member of the South Australian Film Corporation.
As the Honorary Degree recipient, Bridget Ikin joins a select group of significant Australian film and television industry practitioners including, Dr George Miller, Baz Luhrmann, John Edwards, Darren Dale, Jan Chapman and Phillip Noyce.
The 2018 honorary degree was awarded to Bridget Ikinin recognition of her significant contribution to the screen industry and was conferred by AFTRS chair, Russel Howcroft.
An AFTRS honorary degree is only awarded to the highest achievers. It is not necessarily granted every year and it is one of the highest honours that can be conferred on a creative screen arts and broadcast practitioner in Australia.
Ms Ikin said: “It means a great deal to me to be recognized for my contribution to the cultural fabric of Australia, since I was born in New Zealand and didn’t move here until I was 35. I continue to thrive on facilitating exceptional projects, in supporting women, and advocating for diversity.”
Neil Peplow, CEO of AFTRS, said: “Bridget is a role model for future screen makers and we are thrilled to award her this honorary degree She has made a remarkable contribution to independent screen and broadcast production in this country and her commitment to supporting women behind and in front of the camera has been outstanding.”