Curious About Cannes: Do Awards Really Matter to Production Companies?

Nevertheless, being the most awarded production company in Australia and New Zealand doesn’t mean we have to talk about it. In fact, producing entertaining content for a public audience has always had infinitely more appeal. 

We could, of course, patter on about Curious’ productive stamina exemplified in its being credited on two Grands Prix Lions in 2010, and earning another two Gold Film Craft Lions in 2015 – but we’d rather not.    

We could also crow about Curious twice being named Ciclope’s Production Company of the Year, and even boast that a Curious film won both this year’s Oscar, BAFTA and Independent Spirit awards for the Best Foreign Film of 2015 – but we won’t.

We might change the subject to talk about Curious’ new post-production arm having been awarded best VFX at the 2014 Chinese Oscars for The Rocket, and winning the 2015 SXSW Audience Award for Turbo Kid - but we'd rather discuss something else. 

Curious films consistently feature at Sundance, Venice and the Cannes Film Festival. In fact, in 2011 a Curious director won the Semaine de la Critique Grand Prix, which is something well worth swaggering about. However, we’d feel uncomfortable doing that, and so will forgo that subject. 

Jokes aside, a production company’s talent is wholly driven by the act of producing itself. Our never-ending urge to bring ideas to life eclipses the thrill of any after-the-fact metallic praise. 

In other words, our kicks don’t come from gongs, but rather come daily in the act of surmounting the challenges that enable great work for great clients to be made. That’s what motivates our merit, and that’s why we play ball. 

Of course, we’re still immensely supportive of our industry and appreciate its plaudits.  Awards encourage new and interesting people to come along and collaborate with us, which is fun, equally motivational, and important for our growth. 

In which case, we play the game and are indubitably still eager to win. To this fact, Curious is again credited on numerous contenders at this year’s Cannes Lions.  

Although, perhaps, its best not to talk about it.

Peter Grasse is President at Curious Film