Director Phillip Noyce was honoured on Saturday night in Hollywood for his significant contribution to the Australian film industry and for excellence in promoting Australia in the US.

Noyce was presented with his award by Harrison Ford, the star of two of his US films, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, in front of 1,200 people at a G'Day USA ball at the Renaissance Hotel.

Noyce shifted his film-making focus back to Australia in 2002 when he made Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Quiet American.

He is currently working on: an adaptation of Tim Winton's novel Dirt Music, starring Rachel Weisz; Amelia, starring Hilary Swank, about the relationship between US pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart and husband George Putnam; and By Any Means Necessary, a sequel to Clear And Present Danger.

Kylie Minogue was similarly honoured for her contribution to the music industry with actor John Travolta doing the presentation honours.

The black tie ball and dinner was part of G'Day USA, the Australian Government's two-week promotion of many things Australian in the tourism and entertainment industries, and in trade, sport, education and other arenas.

This week the focus moves to New York.

Among the many events is a screening of the Australian documentary In The Company Of Actors, which feature such thespians as Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving as they prepare for a Sydney Theatre Company season in New York of Hedda Gabler, and a second ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.

Actor Julian McMahon will be honoured at the ball, with this presentation made by his Fantastic Four co-star Jessica Alba.

Last week marketing body Ausfilm hosted an industry breakfast and hundreds of film and television executives attended a screening of short films at Paramount Studios from nine of Australia's best upcoming directors.

They included Nash Edgerton, who has just made his first feature The Square, and David Michod, who has had a very positive critical response to his latest short, Crossbow. Eddie White, Amy Gebhardt, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Garth Davis, Kerri Light, Jeremy Cumpston and one of the country's most admired indigenous directors, Warwick Thornton, were also in the spotlight.

The promotion by Australia has happened annually since 2004 and is understood to be the largest annual event of its type held by a foreign country in the US.

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