Stanley Hawes facts for kids

Stanley Gilbert Hawes (born January 19, 1905 – died April 19, 1991) was a talented film producer and director. He was born in London, England. Stanley Hawes spent most of his working life in Australia. He started his film career in England and Canada. He is famous for leading Australia's government filmmaking group. This group was first called the Australian National Film Board. Later, it became the Commonwealth Film Unit. After he retired, it changed its name to Film Australia.

Stanley Hawes's Film Career

Stanley Hawes began working in 1922 as a clerk. But his real passion was film. In 1931, he helped start the Birmingham Film Society. This was the beginning of his film journey.

In 1946, Stanley moved to Australia. He came from the National Film Board of Canada. He took on a big role as the main producer for the Australian National Film Board. This job was first temporary, but it soon became permanent.

Hawes was known for making "classical" documentaries. He learned this style from John Grierson in the 1930s. This means his films focused on real-life stories. They showed facts clearly, rather than using drama or poetry. Films like School in the Mailbox and The Queen in Australia are good examples. They show his love for this classic documentary style.

Stanley Hawes also joined important film groups. In 1952, he became a board member. The next year, he joined the British Film Academy. He also worked with UNESCO in 1958. From 1970 to 1974, he led the National Film Theatre of Australia. In 1971, he was chosen to lead the Film Board of Review.

Awards Stanley Hawes Received

In 1970, Stanley Hawes received two important awards. He was given an MBE. This is a special award from the British government. He also won the Raymond Longford Award. This award came from the Australian Film Institute. It is a high honor in Australian film.

The Stanley Hawes Award

The Stanley Hawes Award was created in 1997. It gives $5,000 to a person or group. This award honors Stanley Hawes. He was the first main producer of the Australian National Film Board.

The award celebrates people who help documentary filmmaking in Australia. It goes to someone who has made a great impact. The winner is announced every year. This happens at the Australian International Documentary Conference.

Here are some of the people and groups who have won this award:

• 1997 Graham Chase
• 1999 John Heyer
• 2001 Pat Fiske
• 2003 Stewart Young
• 2004 Robin Hughes
• 2005 CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) Productions
• 2006 John Hughes
• 2007 Michael Gissing
• 2008 David Bradbury
• 2009 Bob Connolly
• 2010 Tom Zubrycki
• 2011 Rachel Perkins
• 2012 Julia Overton
• 2013 Documentary Australia Foundation
• 2014 Chris Hilton
• 2015 Pauline Clague
• 2016 Sonya Pemberton
• 2017 Brian Beaton
• 2018 Curtis Levy
• 2019 James Bradley
• 2020 Janine Hosking
• 2021 Michaela Perske
• 2022 David Tiley

Stanley Hawes's Film Work

This section lists some of the films Stanley Hawes worked on. He had different roles in making these movies.

As a Producer

A producer helps manage the making of a film. They make sure everything runs smoothly.

• Today We Live: A Film of Life in Britain (1937, Associate producer)
• Here is the Land (1937)
• Timber Front (1940)
• Heroes of the Atlantic (1941)
• Women are Warriors (1942)
• Crocodile Hunters (1949)
• Darwin-Doorway to Australia (1949)
• Australia's Greatest River (1950)
• Know Your Children (1950)
• The Shearers (1950)
• Bush Policemen (1952)
• Snowy Waters (1952)
• Mike and Stefani (1952)
• Outback Patrol (1952)
• Across the Frontiers (1953)
• Bush Policeman (1953)
• The Queen in Australia (1954)
• Melbourne Olympic City (1956)
• Bring out a Briton (1958)
• Welcome Your Majesty (1958)
• The Queen Returns (1963)
• The Presidential Tour (1966)
• Expo 70 series (1970)

As a Director

A director guides the actors and crew. They decide how the film will look and sound.

• The G.B.I. Geography of Scotland: Water Power (1937)
• Here is the Land (1937)
• Man into Monkey (1938)
• Speed the Plough (1939)
• The Home Front (1940) [1]
• Maple Sugar Time (1941)
• The World in Action: The Invasion of North Africa (1942)
• School in the Mailbox (1946)
• Building for Tomorrow (1947)
• Flight Plan (1950)
• The Queen in Australia (1954)
• Children's Theatre (1961)

As an Editor

An editor puts all the film footage together. They create the final movie.

• Dry Dock (1936)