In Memory of Frank Howson (1952–2024)
MUFF Forever Patron. Artist, filmmaker, musician, actor, mentor, rebel, friend.
Frank Howson was a filmmaker, actor, writer, painter, producer, songwriter, and fine artist — and for many years the Executive Producer, Jury President, Patron, and tireless champion of MUFF.
His creative energy, generosity, and unwavering support helped shape the Melbourne Underground Film Festival into what it is today.
Frank Howson — Film Producer, Director, Writer, Actor
Frank worked across mediums and decades — writing, directing, producing, acting, and painting with the same restless creativity that defined his life.
IMDb Profile:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0398271/
In 1981, Frank co-founded Boulevard Films with actor Peter Boyle. Their first feature together was Boulevard of Broken Dreams .
In 1988, Howson and Boyle raised $24.5 million in financing for a bunch of Australian films they produced, including Heaven Tonight , What the Moon Saw , Highway Hero, Beyond My Reach, Hunting , Fallen Angel, and Young Flynn .
Beyond film, Frank was deeply involved in Australia’s music scene as a songwriter and publisher, contributing songs to artists such as Pseudo Echo, John Paul Young and Kate Ceberano. His work even found its way into wider pop culture, including use by Monty Python’s Eric Idle.
Frank worked across both Melbourne and international productions throughout his career, and also served as a board member of Open Channel, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers.
As Writer / Director (partial list)
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Hunting (1990) — starring John Savage and Guy Pearce
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102076/ -
My Forgotten Man (aka Young Flynn) (1993) — starring Guy Pearce and Steven Berkoff
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116330/ -
Remembering Nigel (2009) — starring Martin Landau and Sally Kirkland
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1566940/
As Actor in Richard Wolstencroft’s Films
Frank appeared in several of MUFF Director Richard Wolstencroft’s features over the years:
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The Debt Collector (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6286798/ -
The Second Coming Vol. 2 (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7362942/ -
The Beautiful and the Damned (2009)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7362942/
A Painter of Underground Icons
Frank contributed original artwork for many MUFF festival posters, giving the Melbourne Underground Film Festival a distinctive, subversive and painterly visual identity. His work has helped define the look and feel of MUFF for audiences and filmmakers worldwide.
Selected MUFF Posters Featuring Frank’s Artwork
A Patron of Mavericks
“MUFF has always signaled a new dawn for filmmakers. An open door to possibilities that weren’t there before.”
Frank championed independence, risk-taking, and artistic courage. He believed MUFF was vital precisely because it operated outside government-controlled culture:
“Academics have killed the Australian Film Industry. People who’ve read many books on how to — but have done nothing. It takes guts to enter the arena and put your neck on the line.”
“The strength of MUFF is that it’s totally independent. No government funding. No political restrictions.”
He understood the struggle of getting bold independent work seen:
“Try getting your film into other Australian festivals without a government logo. It’s near impossible. That’s why MUFF is so important.”
“MUFF has been the springboard for many filmmakers who’ve gone on to huge international success.”
And he honoured the community and friendship at the heart of MUFF:
“Kudos must go to festival founder Richard Wolstencroft for keeping this festival going through thick and thin. A Herculean effort.”
“Be bold. Be brave. And most importantly — be you.”
— Frank Howson (1952–2024), MUFF Forever Patron
(Patron statement, 2023)
Full archived text: (link)
“MUFF 25 is watched over benevolently from the celestial realms by Frank Howson, our Forever Patron. Sorely missed, but forever in our hearts.”
