THE latest feather in the cap of Canberra’s ever-classy Ronin Films is news that the company’s film “Message from Mungo” was first prize winner in the special category of “Promotion of Indigenous Recognition,” announced last Friday night at the United Nations Media Awards in Melbourne.

The documentary, eight years in the making, traces the historic discovery of the 40,000-year-old remains of “Mungo Lady” and its impact on relations between the Aboriginal community and scientists. It was jointly directed by Ronin’s managing director Andrew Pike, and historian Prof Ann McGrath, from the ANU’s Centre for Indigenous History.

“CityNews” columnist Robert Macklin has said of the work, “I thought the Mungo film was profound, radical and totally engaging. I just wish every Australian could see it.”

Pike couldn’t be more pleased.

“My co-director, Ann McGrath, was present to accept the award, but sadly I wasn’t free to attend,” he tells “CityNews”.

But not to worry. “Mungo,” he tells us, is also a finalist in the History Documentary category in this year’s ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) awards – results to be announced on November 27.

Watch this space.