Heath Ledger has been honoured with a posthumous award for his contribution to the Australian film industry in Brisbane today.

Queensland Arts Minister Ron Welford made the announcement at the launch of the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) this morning.

The late actor joins other stars of stage and screen George Miller, Geoffrey Rush, Bryan Brown and Jack Thompson as a recipient of the Chauvel Award.

"The Chauvel Award is named after Charles and Elsa Chauvel, the husband and wife filmmaking team who championed Australia's film industry in its early years," Mr Welford said.

"Over the years, there have been many others who have drawn focus to the Australian film industry either through their own personal achievements in their field or their consistent and staunch support for Australian filmmaking.

"Heath Ledger did both, and his passing highlighted how loved and revered he was - not just by fans, but by the Australian filmmaking community."

Ledger's family will collect the gong at a ceremony to be hosted by movie reviewer and ABC television host David Stratton at the Regent Theatre in Brisbane's CBD on August 7.

More than 110 films from 56 countries will be screened over 11 days at this year's BIFF, which opens on July 31.

Visit http://www.stgeorgebiff.com.au .