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Celebrating 30 years of Shine
27 October 2026
Thirty years after its release, acclaimed South Australian film Shine has been celebrated with special anniversary events in London and Adelaide, honouring its enduring legacy and international impact.
On 1 October the anniversary was marked in London with a special reception and screening at the Australian High Commission, hosted by Australia’s High Commissioner and former SA Premier The Hon Jay Weatherill AO, with special guests South Australian director Scott Hicks and stars Geoffrey Rush AC and Noah Taylor.
The event also featured a Q&A with Hicks, Rush and Taylor led by editor of the Hollywood Authentic Jane Crowther, while pianist Martin Cousins, who played Taylor’s hand double in the film, delivered a world-class performance of Flight of the Bumblebee and Rachmaninoff. Guests enjoyed a taste of Australia including wines by South Australia’s own Bird in Hand.
Noah Taylor, Geoffrey Rush and Scott Hicks at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Australia’s High Commissioner and former SA Premier The Hon Jay Weatherill with Scott Hicks at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Scott Hicks, Geoffrey Rush and Noah Taylor at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Guests at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Tim Minchin, Noah Taylor and guests at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Geoffrey Rush and Tim Minchin at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Guests at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Australia’s High Commissioner and former SA Premier The Hon Jay Weatherill at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Editor of the Hollywood Authentic Jane Crowther leads a Q&A with Scott Hicks, Geoffrey Rush and Noah Taylor. 
Editor of the Hollywood Authentic Jane Crowther leads a Q&A with Scott Hicks. 
Guests at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
Guests at the AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London. 
The AHC’s 30th anniversary celebration of Shine in London.
The celebrations continued at home on 24 October as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, with the premiere of the new 4K version of the film at the Regal Theatre. Audiences enjoyed a live performance by acclaimed concert pianist Simon Tedeschi, who played David Helfgott’s young hand double in the film, followed by a Q&A led by ABC Classic presenter Russell Torrance.
Ahead of the screening, the SAFC was delighted to host a special reception with guests of honour Scott Hicks and Kerry Heysen AM and family, Assistant Arts Minister Sarah Andrews MP, Simon Tedeschi, Russell Torrance, members of the SAFC Screen Circle and other VIPs. Also in attendance was Shine‘s AFI Award winning editor Pip Karmel, and Mark Ordesky, executive producer of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and the international acquisitions executive at Fine Line Features in the late 1990s which first propelled Shine to international audiences.
Scott Hicks, Kerry Heysen Hicks AM, Assistant Arts Minister Sarah Andrews MP and SAFC’s Leanne Saunders at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Ali Clarke and son Sam with Scott Hicks at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
The SAFC’s Leanne Saunders and Emma Henderson with Jane and Mark Ordesky at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
The SAFC’s Leanne Saunders and Petra Starke with Assistant Arts Minister Sarah Andrews MP at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Hana Schlesinger and Simon Tedeschi at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Helen Leake AM and Kerry Heysen Hicks AM at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Jacqui Heysen and Scott Heysen at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Andrea Michaels and Jett Heysen Hicks at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Ali Clarke and Matt Gilbertson at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
John Kelly, the SAFC’s Leanne Saunders and Veronica Muir at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Sue Dolling and Jean Francois Robert at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
The SAFC’s Mags Scholes, Dee Hamer, Jo Shearer, Emma Henderson and Petra Starke at the SAFC’s 30th anniversary celebration for Shine at the Marryatville Hotel. 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe 
Adelaide Film Festival screening of Shine at Regal Theatre on Saturday 24th of October 2026. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe
Based on the extraordinary true story of pianist David Helfgott, Shine remains a landmark in Australian cinema. One of the most successful films in the history of Australian cinema, it was nominated for seven Academy Awards, nine BAFTAs and five Golden Globes, winning Best Actor at all three for Geoffrey Rush, and won nine AFI Awards including Best Picture, Best Director for Scott Hicks and Best Screenplay.
Proudly supported and funded by the SAFC, Shine is one of many key productions to have put South Australian films firmly in the international spotlight, demonstrating how a story made in our state, with a uniquely local connection, could achieve global recognition and acclaim.
The film is an important part of the SAFC’s legacy, representing the ambition, creativity and talent that have defined both the state’s screen industry and the agency’s work to support it for more than 50 years – empowering filmmakers to tell compelling stories, building opportunities for local practitioners and showcasing South Australia to the world.
An extraordinary feat of storytelling and filmmaking, Shine remains one of Australia’s most celebrated films – a powerful, deeply human story that captivated international audiences, showcased South Australian talent on the world stage and which continues to resonate with audiences three decades on.