Australian documentary producer Susan MacKinnon dies, known for work with Paul Kelly on Stories of Me
Tributes flow as industry figures recall a longtime champion of documentary filmmaking and a founder of Documentary Australia
Susan MacKinnon, a renowned Australian documentary producer, has died. The veteran filmmaker, who helped bring Paul Kelly to the screen in the documentary Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, died last week. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
MacKinnon rose to prominence for her role in Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, directed by Ian Darling. The film charts the life and career of the ARIA Hall of Fame singer-songwriter and won the Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Documentary award in 2012. She also contributed to other projects including The Ride, Wall Boy, and 4.
MacKinnon was a Founding Director and Executive Director of Documentary Australia for eight years, helping establish the foundation in 2006 with the aim of using documentary storytelling to drive social change. Documentary Australia was nominated for a 2015 Sydney Peace Prize for its work to bring social and political issues to audiences.
In a statement posted on the Documentary Australia Instagram page, chief executive Mitzi Goldman described MacKinnon as a champion of the documentary genre who was warm and generous, and who supported other filmmakers. Goldman said MacKinnon played a key role in shaping Documentary Australia and that her laughter and goodwill will be missed. The post also referenced a 2013 moment when MacKinnon and Darling accepted the Stanley Hawes award for outstanding contribution to Australian documentaries from the Australian International Documentary Conference.
Peers say MacKinnon helped broaden the reach of independent Australian documentaries and mentored a generation of filmmakers during her eight years at Documentary Australia. Her work on Paul Kelly: Stories of Me and other projects left a lasting imprint on Australia’s documentary landscape.