Murray Forrest has received the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers’ inaugural Humanitarian Award, recognising his long commitment to the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society (MPIBS).
The former head of film processing labs Atlab and Colorfilm, Forrest has served as chairman of the MPIBS, which financially supports industry people who have fallen on hard times, for 24 years.
Announcing the accolade at the society’s annual dinner on Thursday night, Pioneers national president Russell Anderson said the award recognizes outstanding and exceptional service to the cinema industry, in particular charity work, mentoring and community service.
Accepting the award, Forrest recalled meeting Sir Norman Rydge, chairman of Colorfilm’s parent the Greater Union Organisation, 55 years ago, a few months after he had joined the company.
Sir Norman informed the 22-year-old Forrest about the Cinema Pioneers (which he joined 25 years later, at the time the eligible period of service) and the MPIBS, where he became a councilor several years before being appointed chairman.
Sir Norman’s son Alan Rydge, Event Hospitality & Entertainment’s chairman, spent some time with Forrest at Colorfilm in the early part of his career while he was learning the ropes.
Rydge marvelled at Forrest’s ability to convince producers to use the lab and to work with directors and editors and thanked him for his help, guidance and life-long friendship.
Forrest retired in 2008 but said he never considered relinquishing his MPIBS role.
formerly Mad Cornish Projectionist.