AWARD-WINNING actor Sigrid Thornton has been considered a screen legend for a long time, but last night it was made official.

At the CinefestOZ Film Festival gala, Thornton was named as this year’s Screen Legend, an award that honours an Australian actor or filmmaker of international repute.

“I am thrilled to receive this award from a festival that focuses on and celebrates the diversity of Australian creatives,” Thornton said.

Thornton’s illustrious career has spanned more than 40 years and seen her perform in film, television and on stage in a diverse range of roles including director of Bruce Beresford’s The Getting of Wisdom and George Miller’s The Man from Snowy River.

The award, presented to Thornton by her SeaChange co-star David Wenham, puts her in the company of stalwarts of the industry including actors Hugo Weaving, Bryan Brown and Jacqueline McKenzie as well as filmmakers Fred Schepisi, Scott Hicks and Gillian Armstrong.

Thornton also chaired this year’s CinefestOz Film Festival jury along with Geraldton-born actor Tasma Walton, WA producer Tania Chambers, Animal Logic chief executive and film producer Zareh Nalbandian and actor Michael Caton.

The five-member jury decided on which of the four finalists took home Australia’s richest film prize.

Jirga, directed by Benjamin Gilmour and produced by John Maynard, was named the winner of the $100,000 award at the Busselton-based festival.

The war drama about a former Australian soldier who returns to Afghanistan seeking redemption from the family of a civilian man he killed was competing against WA-made bikie film 1%, comedy The Merger and the Beresford-directed comedy-drama set in the summer of 1959, Ladies in Black.

“In the spirit of all great film festivals, this was an extremely difficult decision to make,” Thornton said.

“We salute all the filmmakers for their very fine work. Jirga is a singular and courageous film, which gives us a visceral insight into an age-old culture. It explores the nature and definition of forgiveness, leaving us with truly unforgettable cinematic moments.”