Actor Mike Djukic, director Richard Eames and art director Helena Tay Eames of Flushed.
The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth.
The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form – Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell’s performance.
Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People’s Choice Award.
Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night’s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form – Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.
The winner of the PSC McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award and $5000 cash prize went to producer and editor Jess Black.
The Screenwest Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award was presented to picture and sound editor and production supervisor Lawrie Silvestrin, who was recognised for his service to the screen industry, working on countless documentaries, feature films, drama series and short films.
Director General of the Department of Culture & Arts Duncan Ord presented the award and praised Silvestrin’s commitment to the screen industry.
Two industry greats were awarded posthumous awards for their work at the ceremony.
Leading WA Documentary producer Brian Beaton of Artemis Films won the WA Screen Academy Best Long Form – Factual award for Who Do You Think You Are? Series 7.
FTI CEO Paul Bodlovich announced on the evening that following on from suggestions from Beaton’s family and colleagues a new Brian Beaton Award would be created. The inaugural Brian Beaton Award will be given for the first time next year.
FTI will be accepting donations through their Philanthropy program for the award and Screenwest has committed to $5000 annually to go towards the recipient, in honour of Beaton’s memory. Beaton's award was shared with his co-producers Celia Tate and Margie Bryant.
Wayne Davies was also awarded a posthumous award for Jaguar Best Performance by an Actor for his work in Lola & Luis.
After Roy Davies accepted the award on his late son’s behalf, a tribute featuring an arrangement of Wayne’s acting performances showed why this was not the first time he had received the award. Wayne also won in 2013, and was nominated more times than any other actor. He is remembered for volunteering his services on numerous WA projects to assist emerging filmmakers.
The 28th Annual West Australian Screen Awards were supported by partners Screenwest and Lotterywest and presented in conjunction with the Revelation Perth International Film Festival (July 7 – 17 2016).