Margot Nash

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'''Margot Nash''' is an New Zealand-born Australian documentary and experimental filmmaker. Her early experimental work focused on feminist film theory and surrealism. Her most famous film is ''[[Vacant Possession (film)|Vacant Possession]]'' about family history and strife that reflected her actual childhood. Her films have been nominated for and won multiple [[Australian Film Institute]] awards along with awards from film festivals around the world.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":5" />

'''Margot Nash''' is an New Zealand-born Australian documentary and experimental filmmaker. Her early experimental work focused on feminist film theory and surrealism. Her most famous film is ''[[Vacant Possession (film)|Vacant Possession]]'' about family history and strife that reflected her actual childhood. Her films have been nominated for and won multiple [[Australian Film Institute]] awards along with awards from film festivals around the world.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":5" />

She is also an academic and senior lecturer at the [[University of Technology Sydney]] with a focus in filmmaking and feminism. As apart of her academic filmmaking focus she has lead a series of workshops with Australian Indigenous filmmakers and Pacific Island women.

She is also an academic and senior lecturer at the [[University of Technology Sydney]] with a focus in filmmaking and feminism. As apart of her academic filmmaking focus she has lead a series of workshops with Australian Indigenous filmmakers and Pacific Island women.

== Education ==

== Education ==

Attended the [[University of New South Wales]] and holds an MFA from the College of Fine Arts.<ref name=":4" />

Attended the [[University of New South Wales]] and holds an MFA from the College of Fine Arts.<ref name=":4" />

== Career ==

== Career ==

In the 1970s, Nash began her filmmaker career. She was inspired by filmmakers like Maya Deren, Jean-Luc Godard and the American feminist group W.I.T.C.H.E.S. ([[Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell|Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell]]). Together, with performance partner Robin Laurie, she created the art group AS IF, the Anarcho-Surrealist Insurrectionary Feminists and wrote a feminist manifesto.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Nash |first=Cara |date=2016-04-07 |title=Margot Nash: Experimentation And The Documentary |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/margot-nash-experimentation-and-the-documentary/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=FilmInk |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name=":5" />

In the 1970s, Nash began her filmmaker career. She was inspired by filmmakers like Maya Deren, Jean-Luc Godard and the American feminist group W.I.T.C.H.E.S. ([[Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell|Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell]]). Together, with performance partner Robin Laurie, she created the art group AS IF, the Anarcho-Surrealist Insurrectionary Feminists and wrote a feminist manifesto.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Nash |first=Cara |date=2016-04-07 |title=Margot Nash: Experimentation And The Documentary |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/margot-nash-experimentation-and-the-documentary/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=FilmInk |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name=":5" />

In 1976, with $1300 from the Australian Experimental Film Fund, Nash produced her first film with Laurie the 13 min, 16mm film titled ''We Aim To Please'', as an AS IF production.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Krikowa |first=Natalie |last2=Nash |first2=Margot |date=2015 |editor-last=Millner |editor-first=Jacqueline |title=Women's Gaze and the Feminist Film Archive. |url=https://www.academia.edu/14132822/Womens_Gaze_and_the_Feminist_Film_Archive |journal=Future Feminist Archive Catalogue. Contemporary Art and Feminism. 40th Anniversary of International Women's Year 2015 |publisher=Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University. |volume=1 |issue= |pages= |doi= |issn=}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> ''We Aim To Please'' was a feminist short film that dissected female sexuality and its representation under the [[male gaze]] in the media.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" /> It was part of a movement in feminist film at the time and in specific was connected to the Melbourne and Sydney Filmmakers Co-op of the 1970s.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Australian Film Co-ops – Arena |url=https://arena.org.au/australian-film-co-ops |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=arena.org.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>''<ref name=":7" /> We Aim To Please'' won a Jury Prize at the L’Homme Regarde Homme Film Festival in 1978, the festival was later renamed the [[Cinéma du Réel]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Curator's notes We Aim to Please (1976) on ASO - Australia's audio and visual heritage online |url=https://aso.gov.au/titles/shorts/we-aim-to-please/notes/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=aso.gov.au}}</ref> In 2017, ''We Aim To Please'' was re-screened at the 2017 [[Sydney Film Festival]], after being digitally restored by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-10 |title=Sydney Film Festival Unveils 2017 Program |url=https://fourthreefilm.com/2017/05/sydney-film-festival-unveils-2017-program/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=4:3 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=We Aim to Please: Women's image (1976) |url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/97855-we-aim-please-womens-image}}</ref>

In 1976, with $1300 from the Australian Experimental Film Fund, Nash produced her first film with Laurie the 13 min, 16mm film titled ''We Aim To Please'', as an AS IF production.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Krikowa |first=Natalie |last2=Nash |first2=Margot |date=2015 |editor-last=Millner |editor-first=Jacqueline |title=Women's Gaze and the Feminist Film Archive. |url=https://www.academia.edu/14132822/Womens_Gaze_and_the_Feminist_Film_Archive |journal=Future Feminist Archive Catalogue. Contemporary Art and Feminism. 40th Anniversary of International Women's Year 2015 |publisher=Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University. |volume=1 |issue= |pages= |doi= |issn=}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> ''We Aim To Please'' was a feminist short film that dissected female sexuality and its representation under the [[male gaze]] in the media.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" /> It was part of a movement in feminist film at the time and in specific was connected to the Melbourne and Sydney Filmmakers Co-op of the 1970s.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Australian Film Co-ops – Arena |url=https://arena.org.au/australian-film-co-ops |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=arena.org.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>''<ref name=":7" /> We Aim To Please'' won a Jury Prize at the L’Homme Regarde Homme Film Festival in 1978, the festival was later renamed the [[Cinéma du Réel]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Curator's notes We Aim to Please (1976) on ASO - Australia's audio and visual heritage online |url=https://aso.gov.au/titles/shorts/we-aim-to-please/notes/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=aso.gov.au}}</ref> In 2017, ''We Aim To Please'' was re-screened at the 2017 [[Sydney Film Festival]], after being digitally restored by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-10 |title=Sydney Film Festival Unveils 2017 Program |url=https://fourthreefilm.com/2017/05/sydney-film-festival-unveils-2017-program/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=4:3 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=We Aim to Please: Women's image (1976) |url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/97855-we-aim-please-womens-image}}</ref>

From 1996 to 2001 Nash lead a series of documentary workshops in the Pacific for Indigenous filmmakers and Pacific island women.<ref name="Gallasch" /> She also began lecturing at the University of Technology Sydney in 2000 where she continues to do research as of 2021.<ref name="Gallasch" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Margot Nash Profile |url=https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Margot.Nash |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Internet |first=Chirp |title=Margot Nash - Ronin Films - Educational DVD Sales |url=https://www.roninfilms.com.au/person/11902/margot-nash.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.roninfilms.com.au |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, Nash directed the feature film ''Call Me Mum'', which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival.<ref name="Gallasch" /> ''Call Me Mum'' won two Australian Film Institute awards, one for Outstanding Television Screen Craft and the other for Best Supporting Television Actress.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Winners & Nominees 2007 |url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/ange/2000-2010/year/2007/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.aacta.org |language=en-AU}}</ref>

From 1996 to 2001 Nash lead a series of documentary workshops in the Pacific for Indigenous filmmakers and Pacific island women.<ref name="Gallasch" /> She also began lecturing at the University of Technology Sydney in 2000 where she continues to do research as of 2021.<ref name="Gallasch" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Margot Nash Profile |url=https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Margot.Nash |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Internet |first=Chirp |title=Margot Nash - Ronin Films - Educational DVD Sales |url=https://www.roninfilms.com.au/person/11902/margot-nash.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.roninfilms.com.au |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, Nash directed the feature film ''Call Me Mum'', which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival.<ref name="Gallasch" /> ''Call Me Mum'' won two Australian Film Institute awards, one for Outstanding Television Screen Craft and the other for Best Supporting Television Actress.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Winners & Nominees 2007 |url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/ange/2000-2010/year/2007/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.aacta.org |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2012, she began a 14 week program as Filmmaker in Residence at Zürich University of the Arts and began working on a personal documentary which would go on to become ''The Silences''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2015-07-22 |title=Margot Nash’s Family Secrets (Interview) - The 13th Floor |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/margot-nashs-family-secrets-interview/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Windsor |first=Harry |date=2016-04-21 |title=Margot Nash on cracking the structure of memoir documentary The Silences |url=https://if.com.au/margot-nash-on-cracking-the-structure-of-memoir-documentary-the-silences/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2015, after three years of work, ''The Silences'' was released. The film is an autobiographic look into her family's history and her parents' mental illness as it affected her childhood.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Shane |date=2015-08-08 |title=From the heart |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/heart |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The film feature family photographs, letters, documentary footage and clips from her other films threaded together to create a narrative about her life.<ref name=":1" /> The film won a Australian Writers' Guild [[AWGIE Awards|AWGIE]] Award for best documentary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Television: 2016 AWGIE Awards |url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/awards/awgie2016.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.australiantelevision.net}}</ref>

In 2012, she began a 14 week program as Filmmaker in Residence at Zürich University of the Arts and began working on a personal documentary which would go on to become ''The Silences''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2015-07-22 |title=Margot Nash's Family Secrets (Interview) - The 13th Floor |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/margot-nashs-family-secrets-interview/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Windsor |first=Harry |date=2016-04-21 |title=Margot Nash on cracking the structure of memoir documentary The Silences |url=https://if.com.au/margot-nash-on-cracking-the-structure-of-memoir-documentary-the-silences/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2015, after three years of work, ''The Silences'' was released. The film is an autobiographic look into her family's history and her parents' mental illness as it affected her childhood.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Shane |date=2015-08-08 |title=From the heart |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/heart |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The film feature family photographs, letters, documentary footage and clips from her other films threaded together to create a narrative about her life.<ref name=":1" /> The film won a Australian Writers' Guild [[AWGIE Awards|AWGIE]] Award for best documentary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Television: 2016 AWGIE Awards |url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/awards/awgie2016.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.australiantelevision.net}}</ref>

In 2016, the Melbourne Cinémathèque hosted a retrospective of Nash's work, highlighting her feminist work and connection to the 1970s Melbourne theatre scene.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE MELBOURNE CINÉMATHÈQUE {{!}} Dedicated to screening rare & important films in their original format. |url=https://www.melbournecinematheque.org/category/present-year/between-past-and-present-the-films-of-margot-nash/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.melbournecinematheque.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2016, the Melbourne Cinémathèque hosted a retrospective of Nash's work, highlighting her feminist work and connection to the 1970s Melbourne theatre scene.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE MELBOURNE CINÉMATHÈQUE {{!}} Dedicated to screening rare & important films in their original format. |url=https://www.melbournecinematheque.org/category/present-year/between-past-and-present-the-films-of-margot-nash/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.melbournecinematheque.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, her short film ''Undercurrents: Meditations on Power'' (2023) had its World Premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and its international premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Internet |first=Chirp |title=UNDERCURRENTS: meditations on power - Ronin Films - Educational DVD Sales |url=https://www.roninfilms.com.au/feature/18720/undercurrents-meditations-on-power.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.roninfilms.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MIFF 2023 |url=https://miff.com.au/festival-archive/year/2023 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Miff 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WARSZAWSKI FESTIWAL FILMOWY |url=https://wff.pl/about-wff/film-archive |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=wff.pl |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, her short film ''Undercurrents: Meditations on Power'' (2023) had its World Premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and its international premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Internet |first=Chirp |title=UNDERCURRENTS: meditations on power - Ronin Films - Educational DVD Sales |url=https://www.roninfilms.com.au/feature/18720/undercurrents-meditations-on-power.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=www.roninfilms.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MIFF 2023 |url=https://miff.com.au/festival-archive/year/2023 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Miff 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WARSZAWSKI FESTIWAL FILMOWY |url=https://wff.pl/about-wff/film-archive |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=wff.pl |language=en}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

== Filmography ==

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==External links==

==External links==

{{imdb name|0621767|Margot Nash}}

{{IMDb name|0621767|Margot Nash}}

<br>[https://aso.gov.au/people/Margot_Nash/ NFSA Australian Screen - Margot Nash]

<br>[https://aso.gov.au/people/Margot_Nash/ NFSA Australian Screen - Margot Nash]