Damian Sommerlad has been voted as best actor in one of the events at the Cannes Film Festival.
Mr Sommerlad received the award for his performance in the short film Bridget and Ian which was among the 14 finalists in the Beyond Borders Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. This event attracted more than 250 international entries.
His Macleay Island parents Susan and Stewart Sommerlad said they were exceptionally proud of their son.
Bridget and Ian depicts the intense relationship between a mother and her drug-addicted son. The script was by New Zealand writer Norelle Scott and the film was directed by Australian Leah Patterson. The female lead was another Australian Vivienne Powell.
In separate Facebook entries, Norelle Scott described Damian’s performance as Ian as “stunning”, and Vivienne Powell congratulated him on a portrayal that was “so deep, so raw, so complete”.
Bridget and Ian was also selected as a finalist in Le Petit Cannes which runs parallel with the major festival and is described as “a celebration of small films with big talent”.
Vivienne Powell and Damian Sommerlad were also the leads in a stage version of Bridget and Ian which won the People’s Choice Award and the L A City Award for Best Play during the Short and Sweet series of plays in Los Angeles in 2016.
Mr Somerlad said Bridget and Ian had a strong theme that so many people could relate to.
“The success of the play and now the film means it can speak to an an increasingly wide audience,” he said.
Mr Sommerlad attended St Peter’s Lutheran College and graduated from Griffith University. He gained a Masters in Dramatic Arts at London’s East 15 drama school and then worked in theatre in London for a time before moving to Sydney where he worked in both theatre and film.
About three years ago he moved to Los Angeles and continues to work with The Australian Theatre Company LA which promotes the interests of Australian drama and actors in the United States.
