The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians.
About The Same Same 25 - The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people. View the Same Same 25 for 2009 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2008 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2007 here. About Same Same
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Emma Freeman

Film and television director

“Emma is young, clever, bright and simply kicking goals for lesbians and women working in the film industry.”

A well-liked and highly-respected director succeeding in our competitive local industry for several years now, Emma Freeman's work on the recently-transmitted 'Hawke' TV drama brought her well-deserved critical acclaim and an Australian Film Institute award in 2010 for best director in television.

Emma recently directed two music videos for USA band CocoRosie, and has also directed episodes popular shows the Secret Life of Us, Love My Way and Tangled.

Freeman's success is even more extraordinary considering the challenges she faced during her childhood. A complication from Chicken Pox called polyneuritis left her paralysed from the neck down for six long years.

"At 17, I made my first short film and it was like being possessed," she told Cherrie magazine recently. "I couldn’t stop thinking about ideas, wanting to make films, tell stories, work with actors. I don’t think I had a choice, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

"In retrospect, it was a blessing to have that direction and passion - I really based every life decision around film. So much of why I wanted to become a filmmaker was connected to the challenges I faced in childhood. Because of these challenges, no one really had any expectations for me - so it allowed great freedom and creativity."