Stephan’s career kicked off shooting hundreds of weddings from the age of 13 to 18, entering the film industry as an assistant director/editor on a series of Australian films in the 1980s. He then stepped up to the director’s chair at 26 with the comedy caper “Frauds” (1993). The feature had its premiere in Cannes and caused quite a sensation within the international film festival circuit.

This early success could have hardly been followed by a more confident and unquestionable success: “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (1994), one of the year’s major commercial and critical success, racking up an Academy Award, BAFTA and AFI awards for Best Costume Design and a Best Makeup/Hair. Other nominations include a Writers Guild Award and Golden Globe for Best Comedy/Musical. The movie would go on to become a massively influential cult film at a global level.

Stephan was also behind great successes such as “Eye of the beholder” (1999), starring Ewan McGregor, Ashley Judd, KD Lang and Jason Priestley. The film premiered at Venice that year winning the Brussels sci-fi and fantasy festival, an award also shared by “Frauds” (1993).

In 2014 he was part of the “Rio Eu Te Amo” production, an ensemble of short produced by some of the most innovative filmmakers of his generation, including Fernando Meirelles, Paolo Sorrentino and John Turturro. The Australian artist and his work would play pivotal roles in the successful careers of some of Australia’s most praised actors, such as Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce.

Earlier this year his 10th and latest feature, “Swinging Safari”, starring Kylie Minogue, was release to great praise.

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