“Shayda,” a breakout indie movie from Noora Niasari, and Kitty Green’s high-temperature drama “The Royal Hotel” were named best film winners at the annual SPA Awards, presented by the Screen Producers Australia association.
The ceremony took place Thursday at Queensland’s Gold Coast, during the annual Screen Forever conference. The event was hosted by actor and comedian Matt Okine.
Production company Werner Film, which this week announced its acquisition by the BBC, took three awards including the coveted Media Super Production Business of the year prize.
“It’s clear that our production community continues to thrive in the face of a rapidly changing landscape. Each winner exemplifies the creativity, innovation, and dedication that define our industry and showcase the vital role producers and production businesses play in sharing our unique stories and culture with audiences worldwide,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
The awards ceremony also saw Amy Parry named as the recipient of the A$20,000 Ones to Watch Screen Internship grant, supported by Screen Australia, and “Marungka Tjalatjunu” (aka “Dipped In Black”) awarded the annual SDIN Award.
2024 SPA Awards
Animated Production of the Year (joint winners)
“100% Wolf: Book of Hath” (ABC), Flying Bark Productions
“Beep and Mort” (ABC), Windmill Pictures
Children’s Series Production of the Year
“Crazy Fun Park” (ABC), Werner Film Productions
Comedy Program or Series Production of the Year (joint winners)
“Deadloch” (Amazon Prime Video), Guesswork Television and OK Great Productions
“In Limbo” (ABC), Bunya Productions and Heiress Films
Documentary Program or Series Production of the Year
“Ningaloo Nyinggulu” (ABC), Artemis Media and Matter of Factual
Drama Series Production of the Year
“The Newsreader S2” (ABC), Werner Film Productions
Entertainment Production of the Year
“Hard Quiz S9” (ABC), Thinkative Television
Feature Documentary Production of the Year
“Harley & Katya,” Stranger Than Fiction Films
Feature Film Production of the Year (joint winners)
“Shayda,” Origma 45
“The Royal Hotel,” See-Saw Films
Online Series Production of the Year
“Touch the Sky,” Nora & R.D. Productions
Reality Series Production of the Year
“The Great Australian Bake Off S7” (Foxtel Group), BBC Studios Australia
Short Film Production of the Year
“Jia,” Niu Studios and Toprock Productions
Telemovie or Miniseries Production of the Year
“The Clearing” (Disney+), Wooden Horse
Business Awards
Breakthrough Business of the Year
Wooden Horse
Media Super Production Business of the Year
Werner Film Productions
Services & Facilities Business of the Year
Princess Bento Studio
Screen Business Export Award
Goalpost Pictures
Individual Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fiona Eagger and Deborah Cox, Every Cloud Productions
