Funny and heart-warming comedy-drama How To Please A Woman scooped four awards (out of six nominations) at the 2022 WA Screen Culture Awards – including Innovation in Narrative Feature Film with a budget over $1m; Outstanding Achievement in Editing – Merlin Eden; Outstanding Achievement in Performance – Hayley McElhinney; and Outstanding Achievement in Writing – Renee Webster.
Indie filmmaking triumph Pieces, which explores the devastating impact of mental illness took home the Innovation in Narrative Feature Film with a budget under $1m. A personal project for director Martin Wilson, Pieces was shot on a budget of just $150,000.
The understated documentary Namarali, which tells the story behind the spirit figure that rose up into the stadium at the Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony, was awarded Innovation in Feature Documentary.
And Oscar-qualifying short Freedom Swimmer, the incredible tale of a grandfather’s perilous swim from mainland China to Hong Kong in search of freedom, was the much-deserved recipient of Innovation in Short Film or Animation and Outstanding Achievement in Sound/Sound Design.
Two Special Industry Awards were also awarded as part of the 2022 WASCAs; the Contribution to the Industry was awarded to lawyer Joan Peters and the Independent Spirit Award went to Ingrid van den Berge, Managing Director of Luna Palace Cinemas.
“We couldn’t be happier with the response to and results of this year’s WA Screen Culture Awards,” says Revelation Film Festival Director Richard Sowada.
The WA Screen Culture Awards (WASCAs) celebrates the achievement, innovation and ambition of the Western Australian local industry, embracing all forms from new, established and emerging screen practices.
Full list of winners of 2022 WA Screen Culture Awards
Innovation Awards
Narrative Feature Film with budget under $1m
Pieces
Narrative Feature Film with budget over $1m
How to Please a Woman
Feature Documentary / Non Fiction
Namarali
Short Film / Animation
Freedom Swimmer
Student Film
Walk Run Strive
Music Video
The Hills – The Faim
Game Design
Isle of Trials: Curse of the Fire God
Commercial Content
Queens on the Edge
Moving Image and Installation Art
Making Dalison
Virtual Reality, 360° or Augmented Reality
Galup VR Experience
Web Series or Online Content
Making Dalison
Outstanding Achievement Awards
Directing
Where All Light Tends To Go – Ben Young
Cinematography or Visualisation
Facing Monsters – Rick Rifici
Writing
How to Please a Woman – Renee Webster
Performance
How to Please a Woman – Hayley McElhinney
Performance Under 18s
(Not So) Great Expectations – Lauren Campbell
Production Design (incl. costume, set design, hair and makeup etc)
Pieces – Dennon Pike, Monique Wilson, Kristie Rowe, Tess Rowe, Shannon Murphy
Editing
How to Please a Woman – Merlin Eden
Sound or Sound Design
Freedom Swimmer
Original Music
Laugh With Me – Sean Tinnion