Posthumous Honors - Heath Ledger Gets Chauvel Award (GALLERY)

The late Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker in The Dark Knight, has been named the recipient of the Chauvel Award for his contribution to the Australian film industry in Brisbane.

The posthumous award joins Ledger with previous Chauvel Award recipients, such as Geoffrey Rush, Bryan Brown, George Miller, and Jack Thompson.

The announcement of the award was made by Queensland Arts Minister Ron Welford at the launch of the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF), on July 18.

“Over the years, there have been many others who have drawn focus to the Australian film industry either through their own personal achievements in their field or their consistent and staunch support for Australian filmmaking,” Mr Welford said. 

“Heath Ledger did both, and his passing highlighted how loved and revered he was - not just by fans, but by the Australian filmmaking community.”

Heath Ledger’s family are expected to collect the award during a ceremony at the Regent Theatre in Brisbane’s CBD on August 7, 2008.

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