The Australian-born Noonan was encouraged by his father to pursue his interest in film as a teenager. He made his first film, "Could It Happen Here?" (1969), when he was 16. It went on to win a prize for short films at the Sidney Film Festival and later aired on Australian TV. Noonan was one of twelve students (along with Gillian Armstrong and Phillip Noyce) in the inaugural directing program at the Australian Film and Television School in 1973.
Following graduation, Noonan spent five years making documentaries and short films for Film Australia. His "Stepping Out" (1980), a film portrait of a theater troupe of mentally handicapped actors, won praise and brought Noonan to the attention of producer-director George Miller (of "Mad Max" fame). Invited by Miller to join a workshop of actors and directors, Noonan went on to direct the Australian TV miniseries "The Chowra Breakout" in 1985. He subsequently wrote and directed five episodes of the TV miniseries "Vietnam" (1987) and made his Australian TV-movie directorial debut with "The Riddle of the Stinson" (1988). Noonan made his feature film directing debut with "Babe" (1995), the charming fantasy about a pig who learns to be a sheep dog.
Education
-
Australian Film Television and Radio School, Sydney, Australia, directing, 1973
Milestones
-
1969 Entered film in Sydney Film Festival; won a prize in the short film competition
-
1969 Made first film at age 16, Could It Happen Here? , a spoof of high school life
-
1980 Made documentary Stepping Out , about a theater troupe of mentally handicapped actors
-
1985 Directed the Australian TV miniseries The Cowra Breakout for Kennedy Miller Productions
-
1987 Wrote and directed five episodes of Australian TV miniseries Vietnam for Kennedy Miller Productions
-
1988 Australian TV-movie directing debut, The Riddle of the Stinson
-
1995 Feature film directing debut, Babe (also co-scripted)
-
1999 Executive produced the Australian film Feeling Sexy
-
2006 Helmed Miss Potter a biopic of children s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, starring Renée Zellweger
-
After graduating, spent five years making documentaries and short films for Film Australia
-
Attended Australian Film and Television School
-
Invited to join workshop of actors and directors by George Miller
-
Served three year-term as chairman of the Australian Film Commission
-
Served two-year term as president of Australian Screen Directors Association