Press release from ScreenWest
ScreenWest was recognised for its work supporting Indigenous filmmakers and storytelling, winning the Improving Indigenous Outcomes category at the 16th annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management on Monday night.
ScreenWest Chief Executive Ian Booth said the Award for the ScreenWest Indigenous Screen Strategy acknowledges many years of work by the agency and its partners.
"ScreenWest has long recognised the need to proactively develop Indigenous filmmakers, and were the first State Government screen agency to implement a targeted Indigenous support program,"Mr Booth said.
“Indigenous filmmaking in Western Australia is going from strength to strength, and Western Australia has continued to lead the nation in providing strategic and tangible outcomes to support and develop Indigenous filmmaking,” he said.
ScreenWest’s support includes funding the development and production of Indigenous short films, feature films, television programs and digital projects as well as professional skills development opportunities.
Productions supported in recent years include the award winning film Mad Bastards, box office hit Bran Nue Dae, doco-drama Jandamarra’s War, groundbreaking TV drama series The Circuit – Series 1 & 2, Straight Shootin’ an Indigenous talk show hosted by Mary G, and Waabiny Time which is a landmark in Australian TV, being the first Indigenous language program aimed at an early childhood audience.
“The successes of the WA Indigenous screen sector benefits not only Indigenous communities but all Australians by bringing to screen historical and contemporary Indigenous stories,” said Mr Booth.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank our many partners for their contribution to the ScreenWest Indigenous Screen Strategy including WA’s Indigenous filmmakers, the Film & Television Institute (WA), Lotterywest, Screen Australia and ABC TV.”
Premier’s Awards Background Information
The Premier’s Awards formally recognise and reward the achievement of excellence in management practice by WA’s public sector agencies. They aim to stimulate highly innovative projects and displays of creative leadership leading to better service to the community.
There are six Award categories. The Improving Indigenous Outcomes category recognises projects that provide Indigenous Australians with greater opportunity and capacity to determine their own lives through employment, participation and strong communities.