27 May The 2020 Frank Wells Award Winner Announced
Every year we celebrate our volunteers at the Frank Wells Volunteer Awards. Here’s who we honoured at a special online event recently.
Queer Screen volunteers are the heart of Queer Screen. From our amazing board, to volunteers in the office, to the wonderful dedicated people who usher, sell and check tickets and light up Event Cinemas with their smiles and pink shirts, we wouldn’t exist without them! On May 24 we celebrated all those who contribute to the running of Queer Screen at the 2020 Frank Wells Volunteer Awards, live streamed on Facebook.
National Volunteer Week is our opportunity to thank all those who give up their time to help make Queer Screen a success, and each year we give one volunteer the Frank Wells Award for going that extra mile and making a significant contribution to Queer Screen, and named in memory of one of our most cherished volunteers.
This year the presentation took place online on Facebook, followed by a Netflix Party online with our board, staff members and volunteers due to social distancing requirements.
We were thrilled to announce this year’s award went to Hamish Elliot (pictured above), who has been volunteering with Queer Screen behind the scenes on the design and creation of the Queer Screen float since it made its debut in the Mardi Gras parade in 2017.
“I’ve loved working with Queer Screen the past four years, volunteering with the float, and the sense of community that everybody brings, it is a really lovely team to be a part of,” said Hamish via video link when accepting the award.
I've loved working with Queer Screen the past four years, volunteering with the float, and the sense of community that everybody brings, it is a really lovely team to be a part of - Hamish Elliot
Also recognised was runner up Andrew Wilkie for his behind the scenes work in the Queer Screen office doing everything from ticketing, writing blurbs, graphic design, programming, and even a Q&A with festival guests at MGFF20!
Longterm volunteers Kyle Goldfinch and Jude Gonzalez received Dedication Awards for their contributions to Queer Screen at the festival, and behind the scenes.
Congratulations to these amazing volunteers who were given awards – and again an enormous thank you to all the volunteers who make Queer Screen happen. You’re all winners!!!
If you would like to volunteer for Queer Screen click here.