EU Film Award 2009 presentation
at Australian Film Television & Radio School
23 July 2009

response by Award recipient, Rebecca Parker

l to r : H.E. Frank Carruet, Ambassador of Belgium; Award recipient Rebecca Parker; John Richards, Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union

As the recipient of the 2009 European Union Award, I attended the Brussels International Film Festival in early July.  

It was a ten day event, predominantly focused on presenting the work of first and second time European feature filmmakers.  This was a fantastic opportunity for me, as an Australian director, to meet my contemporaries in Europe and see their work, not all of which makes it to Australian shores.  

The festival itself was held on the lively and sunny Flagey Square, the cultural quarters of Belgium, and was accompanied by parties, concerts, Q & As with festival directors and a great workshop with Raindance Festival Director and Independent producer, Elliot Grove.  It was an large, heavily attended, and yet intimate festival, with all the directors with films in competition in attendance, accessible and excited to meet other filmmakers.  

I made some great contacts that have led to future work arrangements, as well as forming some solid friendships with other filmmakers.  Great films I saw there included "Machan" by Umberto Passolini, the nephew of film legend Luciano Visconti and a brilliant director and producer in his own right, and "Katalin Varga" by Peter Strickland, a fantastic English director working in Romania.  If you get a chance, run to the cinema to see these films.  

This award really provided such an amazing opportunity to make contacts with directors and producers from all over Europe and I am certain that it will have a significant impact on my own career as a director.  

I am very grateful for the fantastic support of the European Commission, the Belgian Embassy and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, as this award has assisted my own career and personal development in so many ways and on so many levels. Wonderful!!!!  

This page updated July 27, 2009