SUE MILLIKEN – 2025 NATIONAL CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
With a formidable multi-decade career, she has produced some of Australia’s most iconic titles including The Odd Angry Shot, The Fringe Dwellers, Black Robe, Sirens, Dating the Enemy, Paradise Road, My Brother Jack and Ladies In Black. She co-wrote, with Bruce Beresford, the screenplay for Ladies in Black which was nominated for an AACTA Award.
Sue Milliken has also worked behind the scenes as an advocate for the good and betterment of the Australian film industry.
She was a founding member of the Screen Producers’ Association of Australia (SPA) representing producers and lobbying government and industry for support for Australian films. She served on the Council of SPA as President and helped to create the first film industry safety code in Australia, ensuring the safety of crews, cast and productions.
Sue set up the first completion guarantor in Australia, ensuring that film investors were confident the films they invested in would be completed to the expected quality, budget and schedule. She represented Film Finances, the world’s leading completion guarantee company, from 1980 till 2009, and during this time Film Finances successfully delivered over two billion dollars’ worth of Australian films and television productions.
She chaired the Australian Film Commission in the early 90’s. She reviewed both the South Australian and West Australian film funding organisations for their respective governments, resulting in wide ranging improvements to the film support in both states. She subsequently served for five years on the Screen West board.
She helped to establish, with CEO Cathy Robinson, the Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission, and has continued to be an advocate for indigenous films and filmmakers.
She served as President of the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers in 2013 and led the modernising of the Society which included establishment of the Society’s Constitution.
Sue has written three books on the industry – a memoir, Selective Memory, a book of correspondence with Bruce Beresford, There’s a Fax from Bruce and a book on producing, with Andrena Finlay – Producing for the Screen.
Among numerous awards and accolades, Sue Milliken was appointed an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 2008 Queen’s New Year Honours List. This prestigious award was granted for her significant contributions to the Australian film and television industry and her support of indigenous filmmakers.
President of the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers, Lori Flekser said: “Sue Milliken truly is one of our industry’s greats. Over a long and distinguished career, she has not only mentored and launched the careers of many, both in front of and behind the camera, but has made a meaningful contribution to advancing the screen industry in her leadership as a strong and effective advocate including lobbying to increase Government support, strengthening investment, creating strong State and Federal screen bodies, engaging in education and professional development initiatives, as well as finding innovative and powerful ways to tell Australian stories. Sue Milliken embodies all that the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers stands for and is a worthy recipient of our greatest honour.”
