Latest Melbourne News

Melbourne's arts community celebrated the overwhelming success of The Age 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival last night with the announcement of the Melbourne Fringe Awards.

At the conclusion of three unique and glorious weeks of Melbourne art-making, in which audiences have been treated to international and local acts of the highest calibre, the Fringe peer judged awards celebrate the festival and the individuals that contributed to make the event such a special time for the city of Melbourne.

As well as the thirteen category awards Melbourne Fringe is delighted to announce twelve Professional Development Awards aimed at providing winners with the means to extend their practice with mentorships, touring opportunities, venue support and cash contribution.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Melbourne International Arts Festival Award
For an outstanding artist/creative team, $1000 worth of tickets to the 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival and a mentorship with Artistic Director Brett Sheehy.
Presented to: Jodie Ahrens for Deceased Estate

VicHealth Community Cultural Development Award
For outstanding community engagement and a great outcome, $3,500 cash for materials and equipment that will assist the future of the company.
Presented to: Fringe Garden

The Melbourne Dramatists Award for New Writing, supported by Melbourne Theatre Company
For an emerging playwright premiering an outstanding play in the 2008 Fringe Festival, mentorship with the Melbourne Dramatists, plus tickets to all opening night performances of the 2009 Melbourne Theatre Company season.
Presented to: Alison Mann for Tabula Rasa

The Melbourne Airport Award for Outstanding Newcomer
For an outstanding individual within the 2008 Festival, $5000 international flights to a significant arts festival or professional development opportunity. 
Presented to: Felicity Ward for Felicity Ward's Ugly As A Child Variety Show

The Adelaide Fringe Festival Awards for Best Performance and Best Exhibition
Free registration for the 2009 Adelaide Fringe Festival, and touring assistance to the value of $2,000 for each winner.
Performance presented to: Elbow Room for There
Exhibition presented to: Ahmarnya Price for Just Me And Yoko Ono

Auspicious Arts Award for Best Emerging Producer
To an outstanding producer who showed entrepreneurial flair, a great marketing strategy and a show with critical acclaim.
Presented to: Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly for The List Operators

Gasworks Award
For a physical theatre ensemble to further develop their work for presentation at Gasworks.
Presented to: Michelle Slater and Phillip Haddad for Rhythm and Runners

Linden Award
For an outstanding visual artist, the opportunity to produce a show in Linden Gallery in  2009.
Presented to: Antonia Goodfellow for Empyrean

The Falls Festival Award
For exceptional artistic vision, to remount a large scale visual artwork at the Falls Festival - plus $1000 cash and tickets to Falls for all involved!
Presented to: Brydie Dyson, Set Designer of Darlington Garage Presents

The 2008 Wilin Centre Award for Indigenous Fringe Artist of the Year
For an outstanding Indigenous artist. The recipient will receive a Victorian College of the Arts Short Course of the winner's choice and tickets to performance, exhibition or screenings at the 2009 VCA season of work.
Presented to: Nikki Ashby for Deaf Can Dance

ACAPTA Award
Presented to: Farhad Ahadi for Circus Trick Tease

Circus Oz Award
Presented to: Ben Bryant for Happy Birthday To Me

The Village Award
Presentation of the winning work in the Village Festival (Edinburgh Gardens, 5th - 9th of November).
Presented to: Skye Gellmann, Terri Cat Silvertree and Alex Gellmann for Scattered Tacks

Fringe Furniture People's Choice Award
For the most loved piece of furniture in the Fringe Furniture - MAKE YOUR MARK exhibition.
Presented to: Yoshio Takagi for Molentje

Fringe Dwellers People's Choice Award
As voted by the residents of Fringeland - the closest friends of the Fringe.
Presented to: Circus Trick Tease


CATEGORY AWARDS

Best Special Event
Presented to: Fringe Garden

Best Performance
Presented to: Rawcus Theatre Company and Restless Dance Company for The Heart of Another is a Dark Forest

Best Dance/Movement
Presented to: Kate Stanley and Fiona Bryant for Max

Best Circus
Presented to: Strangers in the Light, Directed by Dr John Butler

Best Comedy
Presented to: Celia Pacquola for Celia Pacquola in Am I Strange

Best Cabaret
Presented to: Jacob Diefenbach for Jason Diefenbach 'Master of Disguise'

Best Music
Presented to: Rowan Vince for VIR 2008

Best Visual Arts
Presented to: Claire Mooney, Mary Newsome, Patrick Pound, Heather Shimmen and Masato Takasaka for Postcards

Best School Holiday Program Award
Presented to: Curious Legends and Company Gongoma for Mermaids Daughter

Best Venue
Presented to: Bella Union, Trades Hall