Western Australia produces more than just Tim Winton adaptations; it’s a treasure trove of diverse creativity and innovation, and the annual WA Screen Culture Awards are a great reminder of that. The recently announced nominees are no exception.

Presented by Revelation Perth International Film Festival, the WA Screen Culture Awards (WASCAs) embrace all forms from new, established and emerging screen practices, and celebrate the achievement, innovation and ambition of the local industry,

“The WASCAs are dedicated to acknowledging innovation and achievement across the entire screen sector in WA,” says Revelation Film Festival director, Richard Sowada.

“The event is unique on the national cultural scene in its approach in platforming and unifying all moving image forms in the one event to show the depth and diversity of the local sector. In doing this, we look toward not just platforming and rewarding these forms but encouraging their development in building a fully integrated cultural environment.”

This year’s list of nominees include Adam Morris’ brilliant two hander, Frank and Frank, Callan Durlik’s London-set, Perth-shot romantic comedy, It Only Takes a Night, Steven J. Mihaljevich’s surreal and unsettling horror, Violett, and David Vincent Smith’s He Ain’t Heavy which isn’t expected for release until the end of 2024 following an international festival run.

Now in its fourth year, the WASCAs will be held on Sunday, 26 November at Luna Cinemas Leederville with host comedian and YouTuber Ethan Marrell, AKA Ozzy Man who will be on hand to entertain the crowd.

Here’s your complete list of nominees.

Innovation Awards

Narrative Feature Film with budget under $1m
Frank and Frank Read our interview with Frank and Frank actor Myles Pollard here
Rampage Electra Listen to our Podcast interview with Rampage Electra writer, director and producer Hassibullah Kushkaki here
Sweet Rhythm Read our special feature article on Sweet Rhythm here
Violett Listen to our Podcast interview with Violett actor Georgia Eyers here

Narrative Feature Film with budget over $1m
He Ain’t Heavy Find out more about He Ain’t Heavy here
It Only Takes A Night Listen to our Podcast interview with It Only Takes a Night filmmaker Callan Durlik here

Feature Documentary / Non Fiction
Black Cockatoo Crisis
Dolphins: Is Our Love Too Deep?
The Last Song

Short Film / Animation
An Origin of Rape Culture
Bird Drone
Making Waves
Max Pam: The Freddie Incident
Tee Ken Ng
The Grey Line Listen to our Podcast interview with The Grey Line filmmaker Scott Quayle here

Student Film
Dare to Dream
Diary of Death
Injustice
Melody of Life
School Makes Me…
Tea’s Ready

Television
Claremont – A Killer Among Us
New Leash on Life
Ningaloo Nyinggulu

Music Video
Anna Schneider – Lyrebird
Booxkid – The Battle
Bad Weather – Flowers in Your Room
Moana – Kingdom and Temple
Studio Orange – Healthy Hygiene Behaviours

Game Design
Nekograms
Tactical Response: PVP, Apocalypse and Genesis

Commercial Content
2023 Certified Organic Vintage – Voyager Estate, Margaret River
Kaleep
Raith Skateboards – World Record Attempt
Real Good Honey – Nothing to Hide
Wizard Pharmacy: Xmas Rap!
World Transplant Games 2023

Moving Image and Installation
A Leap of Faith
LightWaves

Virtual Reality, 360° or Augmented Reality
Bidi Walbraaniny – Path to Healing
BoodjAR
Tactical Response: PVP, Apocalypse and Genesis
The Careful Project – Kiera Jas – Thoughts
Wiluna Martu Ranger VR – Protecting Culture and Country

Web Series or Online Content
Dr Russell’s World of Curiosities
Love Me Lex
Puntukurnu – Smoking Aware
Cool Mum

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Directing
Claremont – A Killer Among Us – Anthony Barwell
He Ain’t Heavy – David Vincent Smith
I’m Not a Nurse – Jessica Bailey
Making Waves – Christian Horgan
Raising Thunder – Kaleb McKenna
Tee Ken Ng – Ella Wright

Cinematography or Visualisation
Bird Drone – Radheya Jegatheva
He Ain’t Heavy – Lewis Potts
I’m Not a Nurse – Damian Fasolo
Marlu Man – Christian Kennedy
Tee Ken Ng – Rhys Jones

Writing
Bird Drone – Clare Toonen
Good Fortune – Lata Periakarpen
He Ain’t Heavy – David Vincent Smith
It Only Takes A Night – Callan Durlik
Love Me Lex – Sanja Katich
Ningaloo Nyinggulu – Tim Winton, Peter Rees

Performance
Frank and Frank – Myles Pollard
He Ain’t Heavy – Greta Scacchi
He Ain’t Heavy – Sam Corlett
I’m Not a Nurse – Christine Ayo
It Only Takes A Night – Ana Ika
Love Me Lex – Sarah Light

Performance Under 18s
A Novel Christmas – Koko Kelemete
Raising Thunder – Chloe Brink Read our interview with Chloe Brink here
Violett – Valentina Blagojevic
When Doves Fly – Lauren Campbell

Production Design (incl. costume, set design, hair and makeup etc)
A Novel Christmas – Casey Renzullo, Kayleigh Lux
He Ain’t Heavy – Emma Fletcher
It Only Takes A Night – Johnny Ma
The Redemption – Stephanie Davis
Violett – Helena Polley

Editing
Good Fortune – Saxon Wright
He Ain’t Heavy – Antony Webb
Love Me Lex – Oliver Dear
Tee Ken Ng – David Vincent Smith
The Grey Line – Scott Quayle

Sound or Sound Design
Claremont: A Killer Among Us – Ben Morris, Kim Lord
I’m Not a Nurse – Ben Morton
It Only Takes A Night – Nick Gallagher
Ningaloo Nyinggulu – Ric Curtin, Xoe Baird, Glenn Martin, Brett Stayt, Elizabeth Parer-Cook, Marcus Lorenz
Raising Thunder – Brad Habib, Holly Miller, Jake Isard, Tam Glover, Brendan Hill, James Brock

Original Music
A Novel Christmas – Andrew James Bartlett
An Origin of Rape Culture – Nicholas Gardiner
I’m Not a Nurse – Ben Morton
Raising Thunder – Robert Woods
Violett – Steven J. Mihaljevich, Ben Chase

Two Special Industry Awards will also be announced at the event – the Independent Spirit Award and the Contribution to the Industry, presented by the Revelation Perth International Film Festival.

The awards night includes the official awards presentation, followed by post-event celebration into the night at Luna Cinemas Leederville.

The WASCAs are proudly presented and produced by the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in collaboration with the WA screen industry.

Tickets are available here. Find out more online at www.wascreencultureawards.com.au.