The Adelaide Film Festival Board proudly presents the Don Dunstan Award, recognising an exceptional individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian screen culture.

As Premier of South Australia, Don Dunstan led an ambitious cultural agenda that inspired a nation. He advocated for diversity in storytelling and promoted the state’s cultural vibrancy, establishing the first government film agency, the South Australian Film Corporation.

The Award honours his legacy with previous recipients including Andrew Bovell, Judy Davis, Rolf de Heer, Freda Glynn, David Dhalatnghu Gulpilil AM, Scott Hicks, David Jowsey, Dennis O’Rourke, Bruna Papandrea, and the combined contributions of David Stratton AM and Margaret Pomeranz AM.

2024 Don Dunstan Award Recipient

This year's Don Dunstan Award recipient is Academy Award-nominated cinematographer and director Don McAlpine.

Don is known globally for his work in over 50 films, including Predator (1987), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Peter Pan (2003) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).

Born in Quandialla, New South Wales, Don still finds time to support local filmmakers as a freelance DOP in films such as The Dressmaker (2015), Ali’s Wedding (2017) and A Stitch in Time (2022).

In 2001 Don was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his service to Australian Society and Australian Film Production. McAlpine was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in Moulin Rouge! (2001). He is a member of both the Australian Cinematographers Society and the American Society of Cinematographers. The A.S.C. honored him with the 2009 International Achievement Award. In 2016 McAlpine received an honorary doctorate in Arts from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia.'

Discover more about Don McAlpine in the annual Don Dunstan Award Essay.