Farewell David Tiley

It is with sadness and warmth in our hearts that we pay tribute to journalist, editor, and Australian screen industry torchbearer David Tiley, who passed on 22 April 2024 after a long illness. 

David began his association with the screen sector in 1973 as an educational script writer for the South Australian Film Corporation, beginning an eventful career in educational programs, documentary, script editing and screen funding spanning almost 40 years.

He was most recently known as the editor of screen industry news source ScreenHub, which he edited and wrote for from 2005 until 2021.

A long-time champion of the Australian screen industry and its creators and artisans, David was a particular supporter of the documentary sector and both a friend and news chronicler of the Australian International Documentary Conference for more than a decade.

On the closing night of AIDC 2022, David received the 2022 AIDC Stanley Hawes Award of $5,000, acknowledging his long-term contribution to the sector. He gave a memorable acceptance speech, capturing the spirit and purpose of documentary storytelling in his own inimitable way:

“The reasons why we are all in this room is the process of searching for truth. Not just the truth of history, but the truth of everything that excites our curiosity.”

Warm-hearted, sprightly, and a renowned raconteur, David is remembered fondly by all at AIDC who encountered him.

 “For those of us fortunate enough to collaborate with the incomparable David Tiley, we will remember his wit, his generosity of spirit and his way with words,” said AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd.

“David was one of our great contributors to screen culture and a tireless champion of doc storytelling in this country. We are thrilled that AIDC was able to honour David’s contributions to the Australian film landscape through the Stanley Hawes Award in 2022. He was deeply moved to be acknowledged by his own screen community which had inspired much of his writing throughout his esteemed career.”

David’s 2022 Stanley Hawes Award acceptance speech is available to view HERE.

Main image: David Tiley at the AIDC 2022 Opening Night Party. Photo by Kelli Morris.