Matthew Newton's New Film Scores An Award At SXSW

After a number of troubled years, Australian actor Matthew Newton appears to be getting his career back on track with news that his new film, From Nowhere, has picked up an audience award at the 2016 SXSW film festival over the weekend. 

According to Fairfax, the film written, produced and directed by the son of Aussie TV legend Bert Newton, was recognised amongst a number of films which boasted big names, including Demolition, starring Naomi Watts and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Based on the play of the same name by collaborator and scriptwriter Kate Ballen, Newton's film tells the story of a teacher in the Bronx, who tries to help three students in her school who are illegally living in the country. 

It is the 39-year-old filmmaker's second film to be screened at SXSW, following his 2009 directorial debut, Three Blind Mice.

Check out the full list of winners here.

Newton relocated to America after a string of controversial incidents in recent years, which included being charged with the assault of past girlfriends, Brooke Satchwell in 2006 and Rachael Taylor in 2010.

Most recently, Newton was charged for assaulting a hotel receptionist in Miami in 2012, however the case was later dropped after he agreed to pay restitution and complete community service.