“I considered him family” Nicole Kidman to honour Brian Walsh with AACTA trophy
The actor will fund an award recognising emerging talent at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards.
Academy Award-winning actor Nicole Kidman is set to pay tribute to the late television executive Brian Walsh, a pivotal figure in her career, by sponsoring an award for emerging actors.
The award, named the Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent, will be presented at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards.
Walsh, a stalwart in the television industry with a career spanning over 40 years, co-founded Foxtel in 1995 and passed away at his Sydney residence in March at the age of 67.
His extensive career included senior positions at the Ten Network, the UK’s Sky Broadcasting, Sky TV in Asia, and Australia’s Foxtel.
In a statement, Kidman remembered Walsh as a man who “played an important and influential role in the careers of many, including my own.”
The enduring friendship between Kidman and Walsh, spanning over decades, began in the early stages of her career, on television shows such as 1987’s Vietnam and 1989’s Bangkok Hilton.
Kidman expressed her connection to Walsh, sharing, “I considered him family, and for that reason, I approached AACTA with a view to creating a legacy in his name worthy of Brian’s long and substantial career.”
The AACTA Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent will recognise the “dedication and passion” of actors in the early stages of their careers, and open to emerging stars over 18 with less than five years of professional, credited experience.
The recipient of the trophy will receive $50,000 towards career development, funded by Kidman.
AACTA CEO, Damian Trewhella said in a statement, “We are incredibly grateful for the generous contribution from Nicole. Nicole’s longstanding friendship with Brian and unwavering support for emerging talent embody the spirit of this award.
“It’s an honour to be able to pay tribute to Brian. This award not only celebrates the dedication and passion of emerging actors but also symbolises a commitment to shaping the future of Australia’s screen industry.”
Chief Content and Commercial Officer at Foxtel Group and Managing Director of BINGE, Amanda Laing says that Walsh “dedicated his personal and professional life to identifying, nurturing and mentoring young and emerging talent across the creative industry.”
“This is a very generous commitment from Nicole to honour Brian’s legacy with the next generation of talent and we are forever grateful.”
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