Leah Purcell to deliver Foxtel Screenwriter’s Address

Actor, director and writer Leah Purcell (Redfern Now) will deliver the 2013 Foxtel Screenwriters’ Address tonight at the Sydney Opera House, in conjunction with the Australian Writers’ Foundation.

The annual event recognises the role the writer plays in shaping our society and culture.

Purcell will also be directing the third series of Who We Are documentaries for Foxtel.

Purcell said “I am honoured to be following in the footsteps of such peers as Andrew Bovell and Geoffrey Atherden, who I have worked with as both an actor and a writer, in delivering the 2013 Foxtel Screenwriter’s Address.

“I thank Foxtel for their support for Australian writing. It is such an important and significant contribution to the sector and as an Indigenous writer/director/actor I am proud to be a part of that legacy.”

Each year since 2008, an esteemed Australian screenwriter is invited to speak on contemporary issues, their craft and its place in the world. Previous speakers have included Geoffrey Atherden AM (Mother and Son, Grass Roots, BabaKiueria), John Collee (Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Creation), and Andrew Bovell (Lantana, Strictly Ballroom).

In addition to delivering the 2013 Foxtel Screenwriters’ Address, Leah will also be directing the third series of Foxtel’s award-winning Who We Are series, which tells the stories of inspiring Indigenous Australians. The third series will also be produced by CAAAMA Productions with support from Screen Australia and Reconciliation Australia. Clips from the first series can be viewed at www.whoweare.com.au

The partnership between Foxtel and the Australian Writers’ Foundation is part of Foxtel’s commitment to investing in Australian creative talent, and also includes:

The Foxtel Fellowship
This annual Fellowship provides a $25,000 grant to provide a screenwriter with the creative freedom to develop a new project for television. This year the Foxtel Fellowship was awarded to writer Jacquelin Perske (Spirited, Love My Way, The Secret Life of Us).

The Oral History Project
A joint initiative of the Australian Writers’ Foundation, Foxtel, and University of New South Wales academic, Susan Lever. Over the last five years, this program has recorded and preserved the oral history of writers who have played a significant role in the development and of Australian television – including distinguished writers Moya Wood (Skippy, A Country Practice), David Williamson (Gallipoli, Phar Lap) and Tony Morphett (Blue Heelers, Water Rats).

The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) have edited a series of short films from the oral history material and produced an initial set of five titles which include Australian Identity, Comedy, Drama, Structure and Success. These five short films are accessible via the AFTRS YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/AFTRSShowcase). Complete copies of the video and sound recordings are held by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and AFTRS.