Local talent on display at the Western Australian Screen Awards

The independent spirit and success of the local screen industry was on show at the 24th Western Australian Screen Awards (WASA), held tonight at the Octagon.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the diversity and strength of the nominees was testament to the vibrancy of the WA screen industry.

"The Western Australian Screen Awards are a celebration of the industry's creativity, hard work and talent," Mr Day said. 

"Seventeen awards were presented in the early career categories and four Lotterywest Awards recognising the accomplishments of the professional industry."

The Minister presented the Lotterywest Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry to broadcasting industry stalwart Jill Perryman.

Jill stumbled into her first role at the age of two and has starred in her own ABC TV series and performed in many Australian screen classics, including 'Windrider' and

'A Country Practice'," he said.

"Jill is dedicated to the development of young dramatic talent in the State and it is fitting the WA Screen Awards acknowledge her contribution to the industry with this prestigious award."

The other award winners:

·             Lotterywest Award for Outstanding Achievement in Factual Production: Awarded to production company Siamese for the documentary, 'Kuru: The Science and The Sorcery'.  The documentary aired on SBS in November 2010, has screened at a number of film festivals and is the result of a 10-year campaign by the filmmakers to ensure this important medical mystery is told to the world

·             Lotterywest Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama:  Bolderpictures received this award for the feature film 'Little Sparrows'.  'Little Sparrows' secured an international sales agent, screened at a number of international film festivals, and won the 2010 SPAArtan Award, presented by the Screen Producers Association of Australia

·             Lotterywest Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Practitioner: Awarded to experienced sound designer Ric Curtin.  His recent work includes the upcoming feature film 'Blame' and factual programs 'Who Do You Think You Are' (Series 3), 'Australia's Pirate Patrol' and 'Gallipoli's Deep Secrets'

·             Bendigo Bank Young Filmmaker of the Year Award (presented to a filmmaker aged 25 years or younger):  Awarded to Mat de Koning. Commissioned by Awesome Arts, Mat created 'Punmu Stories' in 2007 with the help of the young people of the remote Punmu community.

Mr Day said that, in the Early Careers Categories, practitioners of the short-film 'Good Pretender' won three awards:  Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress.

"The continuing positive outlook of the WA screen industry is evidenced by the quality of the entries across all categories of the awards this year," he said.