Australians give Ledger posthumous film award

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 19:36

HEATH Ledger is to be posthumously honoured for his contribution to the Australian film industry.

The Perth-born actor will be given the 2008 Chauvel Award in recognition of his dedication to cinema Down Under.

Rod Welford, the Queensland arts minister, said Ledger was an obvious choice because he supported the local film industry throughout his career.

The posthumous honour will be officially conferred during the Brisbane International Film Festival next month.

Speaking at the programme launch for the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF), Welford said: "Over the years, there have been many others who have drawn focus to the Australian film industry, either through their own personal achievements in their field or their consistent and staunch support for Australian film-making.

"Heath Ledger did both, and his passing highlighted how loved and revered he was – not just by fans, but by the Australian film-making community."

It will be the first time in the award's 16-year history that it will be granted posthumously.

The award presentation will take place in August. It will include interview footage and film material from Ledger's career. It is expected that friends and colleagues of the deceased actor will attend the ceremony.

Previous recipients of the award, named after Queensland film pioneers Charles and Elsa Chauvel, include director George Miller and actors Geoffrey Rush and Bryan Brown.

Ledger, 28, died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in a New York apartment in January.

The Australian was best-known for his role in Brokeback Mountain and is hotly tipped to win a posthumous Oscar for his role as the Joker in Batman sequel Dark Knight.