The chauvel award

Charles Chauvel was one of the most influential and significant directors in shaping our early Australian film industry. He was an individual – idealistic, persevering and passionately Australian. He and his wife, Elsa, formed a dynamic filmmaking partnership that spanned thirty years of tremendous change and innovation in film craft, from the silent era to sound, colour film and finally television.

Chauvel made films when it was difficult to raise financial backing, there were few technical resources and no Australian filmmaking school; producing, directing and writing his own films. Chauvel’s films were milestones that helped launch global film stars; Errol Flynn, Chips Rafferty, Peter Finch and Michael Pate.  

Both Charles and Elsa were innovators and pioneers, constantly testing the boundaries of how to interpret Australia and Australians on screen. Charles had many unfulfilled dreams, but what he achieved, often against all odds, testified to his amazing vision, tenacity and enthusiasm. He kept Australian features on the screen during the Second World War when other Australian feature-length films had virtually ceased. Elsa’s contribution was enormous, but Charles had the vision, a very personal one.