Chris Noonan

Chris Noonan studied at Australian Film Television and Radio School. The recorded working language is English. Places of work recorded in the authority are Australia. Residence is recorded at Sydney. Distinctions recorded are London Film Critics Circle Award for Film of the Year.

• Name — Chris Noonan • Birth Name — Christopher Noonan • Birthplace — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Born — 14 November 1952 • Occupation — Film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor • Years Active — 1970–present

Encouraged by his father, Noonan made his first short film, Could It Happen Here?, set at North Sydney Boys High School when he was sixteen. It won a prize at the Sydney Film Festival and was later screened on Australian television. On leaving school in 1970, Noonan went to work for the Commonwealth Film Unit (now Film Australia), as a production assistant, assistant editor, production manager and assistant director making short films and documentaries. In 1973 Noonan was in the inaugural intake on the directors' course (along with Gillian Armstrong and Phillip Noyce) at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. In 1974 he returned to Film Australia where he worked on a number of films and documentaries, including working as assistant director on the cult movie The Cars That Ate Paris. In 1976 he directed Film Australia's documentary series, "Our Asian Neighbours: India", including a film about Swami Shyam, a teacher of Vedant and Meditation living in the Indian Himalayas. In 1979 he set up his own production company, and in 1980 documented the lives of a troupe of disabled actors, in the film Stepping Out, which won the UNESCO prize in 1980 and an Australian Film Institute Award for 'Best Documentary' in 1981. He co-wrote and co-directed the Australian mini-series The Cowra Breakout, wrote and directed five episodes of the mini-series, Vietnam, and made his television movie debut with The Riddle of the Stinson. Noonan served for two years (1987–88) as President of the Australian Screen Directors' Association, and in 1990 was appointed for a three-year term as Chairman of the Australian Film Commission. In 1995 he wrote the screenplay, with George Miller, and directed the film, Babe, his first theatrical feature. The film earned US$280 million in its 18-language world theatrical release, a further US$217 million in international video sales and was nominated for seven Academy Awards (including nominations for Noonan for directing and writing). The film was recognised with many other honors, including BAFTA Award nominations for Film and Adapted Screenplay. He co-produced the popular Davida Allen telemovie, Feeling Sexy, in 1999. In 2006 he directed the biographical film, Miss Potter, based on the life of children's author Beatrix Potter. As of 2008, Noonan had two further projects in development, but those did not come to fruition.

TV movies • Year — Title — Director — Writer • 1978 — Cass • 1988 — The Riddle of the Stinson • 1989 — Police State TV series • Year — Title — Director — Writer — Notes • 1984 — The Cowra Breakout — Mini-series • 1987 — Vietnam • 2011 — Crownies — 2 episodes • 2013 — The Time of Our Lives — Episode "The First New Chapter"

• Year — Title — Role • 1974 — 27A — Title Designer • The Cars That Ate Paris — Assistant Director • 1996 — Idiot Box — Actor • 2000 — A Wreck, a Tangle — Thanks • 2003 — Preservation — Director Mentor • 2004 — Somersault — Script Advisor: Aurora