Jack Thompson, is an Australian award-winning actor, who is a major figure of Australian cinema, particularly Australian New Wave.
Thompson in 2014
Thompson's plaque at the Australian Film Walk of Fame, the Ritz Cinema, Randwick, Sydney
The cinema of Australia began with the 1906 production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, arguably the world's first feature film. Since then, Australian crews have produced many films, a number of which have received international recognition. Many actors and filmmakers with international reputations started their careers in Australian films, and many of these have established lucrative careers in larger film-producing centres such as the United States.
The old Pacific Cinema at Bulahdelah, New South Wales - a classic example of an early, small, country-town cinema
Errol Flynn had his debut in In the Wake of the Bounty (1933)
Peter Finch with fellow Australian Diane Cilento during the making of British film Passage Home (1955)
Prime Minister John Gorton initiated several avenues of government support for Australian cinema