WINNER! Best Spiritual Documentary
4 February 2010
Victorian filmmaker, Robyn Hughan, has picked up two more international awards for her documentary, A Nun's New Habit, at the Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh -
Best Documentary Award in the Spiritual Section and a SIGNIS prize for same.
The 11th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) was held in Dhaka from 14 to 22 January 2010 and is the most prestigious film event in Bangladesh. The theme was "Better Film, Better Audience, Better Society."
SIGNIS is a non-governmental organisation that includes members from 140 countries. As the "World Catholic Association for Communication", it brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals. In the words of SIGNIS's Peter Malone: "The director shows great sensitivity and insight into Australian Catholic life and the Good Samaritan Sisters and their continuous ministry, focusing on Sister Carmel Wauchope and her involvement with refugees in detention centres both for their campaigns and for their personal lives".
Robyn attended the festival with the support of Film Victoria and is staggered by her film's positive reception. Hers was one of the best attended sessions and A Nun's New Habit's sympathetic 'refugee' and 'interfaith' messages were widely applauded.
A Nun's New Habit is written and directed by Robyn and produced by Robyn Hughan & Emergint. Key Victorian creative collaborators were editor, Stefan Markworth and camera person, Tim Smart.
A Nun's New Habit has received marketing support from Screen Australia and is screening on LINKTV in the US.
Last October, it received a Special Mention prize at the Religion Today Film Festival in Italy.