Michael Cusack

Michael Cusack was born in Manchester, UK and moved to Adelaide, South Australia when he was eleven years old. He attended Salisbury Teachers College where he specialised in drama and screen studies and met his business partner Richard Chataway. Upon completion of their thesis, a 26 minute clay animated film, the South Australian Film Corporation recognising Richard and Michael's talent employed them to start up their first animation department. While at the SAFC, they received their first AFI Award for the animated short "Waltzing Matilda." In 1985, they started their own company, Anifex, which has steadily grown over the years to gain an international reputation for producing some of Australia's finest animation. With numerous local and overseas awards to his credit, Michael Cusack now has over 30 years experience at directing animation.