Press Release
The Film & Television Institute (FTI) announced the winners of the 25th annual WA Screen Awards
(WASAs) last night to a crowd of over 600 at a red carpet Gala Awards Ceremony at The Astor Theatre in
Perth.
The WASAs, Western Australia’s answer to the AACTAs and the Academy Awards, are the premier
celebration of West Australian screen culture, celebrating excellence and achievements in feature film, short
film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary and games.
Australian acting legend Jack Thompson presented awards last night, alongside VIP guests Rachael
Blake (Lantana, Sleeping Beauty), Tony Martin (Wildside, The Straits, Heartbreak High) and Nelson
Woss (producer of Red Dog).
Following a record 800 entries and 104 nominees across 66 projects, a grand total of $33,000 in cash
prizes was awarded to filmmakers across 30 categories.
The ScreenWest Outstanding Contribution Award was awarded to producer Sue Taylor who was
recognised for her contribution to the West Australian film industry above and beyond her very successful
career as a producer of film and television. Taylor’s productions have won many national and international
accolades, including official selection of The Tree for closing night at Cannes Film Festival. Taylor has
also been recognized for her longstanding services over many years to SPAA, Screenrights and
ScreenWest. She has mentored many practitioners and unwaveringly given advice, support and her own
time to foster the careers of others for the betterment of an industry that she clearly loves.
Previous winners of the ScreenWest Outstanding Contribution Award include Ric Curtin, Jill Perryman,
John Rapsey, Carmelo Musca, Kevin Campbell and Dot West.
The Central Institute of Technology WA Young Filmmaker of the Year Award was awarded to writer
Keir Wilkins, 25. Wilkins’ short films Bystander, Life in Red String and Blue, have been recognised in both
national and international film festivals and he has worked as a script attachment on Underground: The
Julian Assange Story and as a story assistant and additional content creator on The Turning. Wilkins is
currently in development on his first half-hour television series.
Previous winners of the prestigious Central Institute of Technology WA Young Filmmaker of the Year Award
include Zak Hilditch, whose debut feature film These Final Hours premiered at the Melbourne
International Film Festival (MIFF) tonight, Mat de Koning, who’s debut feature-length documentary Meal
Tickets is in post-production, Maziar Lahooti, who won Best Director tonight for his short film Heaven and
Antony Webb, director of LINK-funded short film, The Fan which is currently in post-production.
ECU Best Feature Film went to Red Dog by Nelson Woss, ECU Best Short Film went to The Owl by
Peter Gurbiel and Wade K. Savage, MadFish Best Actress went to Fern Nicholson for her performance
in Potato Peelers and Coopers Best Actor went to Wayne Davies for his performance in Heaven.
Previous WA Screen Award winners include director Elissa Down (The Black Balloon), actor Damian de
Montemas (The Secret Life of Us, Underbelly, Blame) and director James Bogle (Closed for Winter, The
Circuit) who won the award for Outstanding Young Filmmaker in 1981.
“FTI congratulates all the winners and nominees from the WA Screen Awards. With a record number of
entries, this year’s event has ranked amongst the most competitive yet. We look forward to seeing the
records tumble again next year as the WA Screen Sector continues to strengthen and grow.” said CEO of
FTI, Paul Bodlovich.
“Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the awards at this years WASAs. It’s a great
opportunity to be able to recognise talents of the local screen industry and ScreenWest is pleased to be a
sponsor”. said Acting CEO of ScreenWest, Nadine Redmond.
The Curtin University People’s Choice Award will be announced following audience votes at Cinefest
Oz which is being held in Busselton, Western Australia from 21 – 25 August 2013. The 2013 program was
announced today and can be seen at www.cinefestoz.com.au