Peter Andrikidis Biography

Peter Andrikidis graduated from Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Film Direction) in 1981 as one of the youngest students.He was immediately recruited to Crawford Productions where he went on to direct numerous dramas productions culminating in producing a series of 'Flying Doctors' (RFDS).Peter believes his real 'coming of age' was on the ABC drama 'G.P.' which he also became Producer.'Wildside', the groundbreaking drama series, is Peter's greatest directing achievement, he thinks. Two episodes, which Peter directed, won a total of eight AFIs including Best Direction.He then went on to direct the entire ABC series 'Grass Roots' written by Geoffrey Atherden. This series went on to win seven AFI's over two seasons including Best Direction. It also won a New York Festival Award.In 2001 he directed the telemovie 'My Husband, My Killer' with Colin Friels and David Field, which also won numerous awards and his third AFI for Best Direction. This film was the first for Screentime and would form the foundation for a great creative relationship with writer Greg Haddrick and Executive Producer Des Monaghan.In 2002/3 'Heroes' Mountain' (drama telemovie about the Thredbo Rescue) and 'Jessica' (mini-series with Sam Neill) each won a Silver Hugo for Best Direction and a Gold/Silver Plaque for Best Drama at the Chicago International Television Awards. Sam Neill also won a Silver Logie along with the 'Jessica' production for Best mini-series. This formed another great working relationship with long-time Producer Tony Buckley ('Heroes' Mountain' and 'Jessica').In 2004/5 Peter directed five telemovies of 'BlackJack' for the Ten, which again won numerous awards including best direction twice in Chicago.2006 saw Peter direct the $15 million dollar co-production with the Granada - ITV, Screentime and Power-TV 'The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant' with Romola Garai, Jack Davenport and Sam Neill. This screened to eight million viewers in the UK. It won an AFI, a Logie, and a New York Festival Award for Best TV Mini-series and a Silver Plaque for Best Direction at the Chicago Awards.In 2007 he directed the SBS mini-series 'East West 101'. A drama about what it means to be Muslim in Australia after September 11, 2001. The cast includes Don Hany, William McInnes and Susie Porter. In that year he also directed the groundbreaking mini-series 'Underbelly' that not only received critical acclaim it also blitzed the ratings for the Nine Network in AustraliaIn April 2006 he was voted one of the Top Ten Directors in Encore Magazine 'Celebration of the Industry's Finest'. The list included Baz Luhrmann, Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce and Rolf De Heer.Peter was awarded with a Centenary Medal for 'Outstanding services to Australian Society and Film Production' in 2003. He has a reputation for getting excellent performances from actors (an actor's director) and bringing exciting visual flair to each production he undertakes.In 2008 Peter has just finished the telemovie 'The Informant' with William McInnes and Colin Friels for Ten and Screentime and is directing and producing the UK-TV, Power-TV and Screentime mini-series 'False Witness'. The cast includes Dougray Scott, Claire Florlani, Rachael Blake and Richard Roxburgh.