Australian Film Walk of Fame
| Australian Film Walk of Fame | |
|---|---|
 Steve Bisley at the 2010 Australian Film Walk of Fame with Randwick Mayor Cr. John Procopiadis |
The Australian Film Walk of Fame is a collection of plaques on the footpath outside the Ritz Cinema in the suburb of Randwick, Sydney, Australia. Formed in 2008 at the Ritz Cinema, the initiative was established to honour Australian actors and actresses for their contributions to Australian cinema.
History
The Australian Film Walk of Fame was initially established in 2008 by Randwick City Council and the Australian Film Festival (organised by Barry Watterson) at the Randwick Ritz under the title of the "Walk of Fame".[1] Recipients inducted into the Walk of Fame from 2008 to 2009 include Michael Caton, Roy Billing, and Charles Tingwell.
In conjunction with the inaugural Australian Film Festival, which premiered on 24 February 2010 at the Randwick Ritz,[2] the Randwick Ritz's Walk of Fame was officially renamed the Australian Film Walk of Fame.
As of 2011 the Australian Film Walk of Fame initiates new members annually at the conclusion of the Australian Film Festival, in partnership with Randwick Council, the Ritz Cinema, and The Spot Chamber of Commerce.[3]
On 7 March 2010, the Australian Film Festival concluded with The Spot Food and Film Festival at Randwick and the induction of Steve Bisley and Claudia Karvan to the Australian Film Walk of Fame.[4]
On 13 March 2011, Gary Sweet and Jack Thompson were both initiated to the Australian Film Walk of Fame.[5]
The last Australian film festival was held in March 2012.[6]
On 28 April 2022, the Australian Film Walk of Fame was revived after a decade with a new plaque unveiled to honour actor, writer, and director Leah Purcell at the gala screening of The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson at Randwick Ritz Cinemas.
Sigrid Thornton was inducted into Walk of Fame as part of Sydney premiere of Slant at Ritz Cinema on 26 July 2023.
On 19 February 2025 David Wenham, was inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame at a special screening of Spit at the Ritz Cinemas hosted by Randwick City Council.
In June 2025, film critics and television personalities David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz became the first non-actors to be honoured with a plaque in the Australian Film Walk of Fame at a special Australian Film Walk of Fame ceremony. Stratton, who was director of the Sydney Film Festival for nearly 20 years, died on 14 August 2025.[7][8]
Description
The Australian Film Walk of Fame was established to honour Australian actors and actresses for their contributions to Australian cinema.[9] It comprises a collection of commemorative plaques on the footpath outside the Ritz Cinema in Randwick.
Randwick Council and Barry Watterson jointly own the trademark rights to the Australian Film Walk of Fame plaque design.
Members of the Australian Film Walk of Fame
| Year of Induction | Actor/Actress |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Charles Tingwell |
| 2009 | Michael Caton Roy Billing |
| 2010 | Claudia Karvan Steve Bisley |
| 2011 | Gary Sweet Jack Thompson |
| 2012 | Barry Otto Deborah Mailman |
| 2022 | Leah Purcell |
| 2023 | Sigrid Thornton |
| 2025 | David Wenham David Stratton Margaret Pomeranz |
References
- ^ "Putting on the Ritz". Southern Courier. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ "Australian Film Film Festival". Alternative Media Group. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ "Australian Film Festival Walk of Fame". Chic Traveller. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Food and Fanfare at The Spot Food and Film Festival in Randwick". Gourmantic. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Australian Film Festival Kicks Off". FilmInk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ "THE 2012 AUSTRALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 7-17 MARCH 2012". australianfilmfestival.com.au. 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ Winter, Velvet; Smyrk, Katherine; Morwood, Maddy (6 June 2025). "ICYMI: David and Margaret honoured with Walk of Fame star, Talking Heads release first music video for Psycho Killer". ABC News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Thorpe, Andrew (14 August 2025). "David Stratton, film critic and host of At the Movies alongside Margaret Pomeranz, dies aged 85". ABC News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Australian Film Festival Walk of Fame". Chic Traveller. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
