Australia’s top producers, commissioners and creatives gathered for a night of wins, recognition and a few well earned bragging rights as the SPA Awards wrapped SCREEN FOREVER 40 on the Gold Coast.
ABC emerged as the major winner, taking home multiple titles across key categories, while Jungle Entertainment claimed two business awards, with Werner Film Productions and Brindle Films also scoring multiple wins across their respective slates.
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Tonight, leaders from across the Australian screen industry gathered on the Gold Coast to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia’s production businesses at the 24th Annual SPA Awards, held on the final evening of SCREEN FOREVER 40.
As Australia’s premier screen industry event, SCREEN FOREVER brings together producers, commissioners, creatives and business leaders from across the sector, with the SPA Awards recognising the talent, innovation and dedication of SPA member businesses in bringing distinctive Australian stories to screen.
Susie Jones accepts her Commissioner of the Year honour, recognising her work at the ABC after the award was announced ahead of the ceremony (image – supplied)
Hosted by acclaimed comedian, writer and performer Rhys Nicholson, the ceremony recognised the best in Australian screen production across production, business and individual contribution categories, celebrating excellence across scripted, factual, documentary, feature film, children’s, online and immersive media.
The Media Super Production Business of the Year Award was presented to Jungle Entertainment by the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, and Anne Kemp from Media Super, recognising the company’s outstanding leadership, creative ambition and contribution to the Australian screen industry.
In addition to recognising production excellence, the ceremony honoured Susie Jones, Head of Documentary and Specialist at the ABC, as the recipient of the Commissioner of the Year Award, and acclaimed filmmaking duo Nadia Tass and David Parker of Cascade Films with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
David Parker and Nadia Tass receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring their longstanding contribution to Australian screen (image – supplied)
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said the Awards are an important opportunity to recognise the resilience and creativity of Australia’s independent production sector.
“At a time of continued change across the global screen industry, Australian producers continue to demonstrate extraordinary creativity, resilience and ambition.”
“The work recognised tonight reflects not only outstanding storytelling, but the strength of the businesses behind it.”
“The 24th Annual SPA Awards celebrate the people and companies driving our industry forward, creating jobs, building sustainable businesses and ensuring Australian stories continue to reach audiences here and around the world.”
“It was a privilege to celebrate this year’s nominees and winners and recognise the incredible contribution they make to our industry every day.”
24th Annual SPA Awards Winners:
Animated Production of the Year
Tales From Outer Suburbia – Flying Bark Productions & Highly Spirited Productions (ABC)
Children’s Production of the Year (Excluding Animation)
Knee High Spies – Werner Film Productions (ABC)
Comedy Program or Series Production of the Year
Austin S2 – Northern Pictures & ITV Studios Australia (ABC)
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Documentary Series Production of the Year
The People Vs Robodebt – CJZ (SBS)
Drama Series Production of the Year
The Newsreader S3 – Werner Film Production (ABC)
Factual Series Production of the Year
Grand Designs Australia S12 – Eureka Productions (ABC)
Feature Documentary Production of the Year
Journey Home, David Gulpilil – Savage Films & Brindle Films
Feature Film Production of the Year
Kangaroo – STUDIOCANAL, Brindle Films & Bunya Productions
Light Entertainment Production of the Year
Hard Quiz S10 – Thinkative TV (ABC)
Online Series Production of the Year
Moonbird – Sheoak Films and Kutikina Productions
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Reality Series Production of the Year
The Great Australian Bake Off S9 – BBC Studios Productions (Foxtel & BINGE)
Short Film Production of the Year
I’m The Most Racist Person I Know – Suriyna Sivashanker
Telemovie or Mini Series Production of the Year
Apple Cider Vinegar – See-Saw Films & Picking Scabs (Netflix)
Media Super Production Business of the Year
Jungle Entertainment
Breakthrough Business of the Year
Picking Scabs
Screen Business Export Award
Jungle Entertainment
Services and Facilities Business of the Year
Disney Studios Australia
Commissioner of the Year
Susie Jones – Head of Documentary and Specialist, ABC
Lifetime Achievement Award
Nadia Tass and David Parker, Cascade Films
The SPA Awards are supported by Screen Queensland, Queensland Government, Gold Coast Film Commission, Experience Gold Coast, Australian Government, Screen Australia, Disney Studios Australia, Disney Lighting, Media Super, Orange Entertainment Co. and The Post Lounge.
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