Territory based director Warwick Thornton’s feature film Samson & Delilah has won the 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Film.

Northern Territory Film Office (NTFO) director Penelope McDonald congratulated the films director Warwick Thornton and producer Kath Shelper on their win.

“The NTFO is just really pleased that a Territory film has obviously resonated so well with the audience, and am sure it is just the first of many accolades the film is set to receive when it premieres nationally next month,” Ms McDonald said.

“The Northern Territory Government provided a $20 000 grant to assist with the post production costs for Samson & Delilah, the Territory’s first home grown feature since Yolgnu Boy was produced in 2000.

“We are delighted to be able to support Samson & Delilah with a grant to assist with the costs of post production, and the production itself has spent more than $500 000 in the Territory.”

Funding assistance for the film was also provided by BigPond Adelaide Film Festival, Screen Australia, New South Wales Film and Television Office and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Samson & Delilah tells the story of two Aboriginal teenagers in a remote community and features local Alice Springs teenagers Marissa Gibson and Rowan McNamara.

Warwick Thornton worked as a cinematographer for the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and attended the Australian Film Television and Radio School, with his credits as a cinematographer including the feature film Radiance and the recently televised series, The First Australians, and as a director on short films including Mimi, Green Bush and Nana.

He has previously worked with Samson & Delilah producer Kath Shelper on short films Green Bush and Nana in Alice Springs.

Territorians will have the opportunity to see Samson & Delilah when it opens in cinemas nationally in April 2009.