Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley of Big Bang Sound Design take home 2025 Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award – Acclaimed sound studio founders Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley have been named the recipients of the 2025 Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award.
The award was presented to Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley by Head of Screen NSW, Kyas Hepworth at the 72nd Sydney Film Festival Closing Night Gala at the State Theatre.
Libby and Wayne are co-owners of Big Bang Sound Design, a Sydney-based post-production sound facility, and have delivered immersive award-winning soundtracks for feature films, including Mad Max: Fury Road, Elvis, The Great Gatsby, The Lego Movie, and Happy Feet.
The $10,000 cash prize, which was first established in 2016, is presented annually by Screen NSW, under the auspice of Sydney UNESCO City of Film, to trailblazing NSW-based screen practitioners, whose work stands for innovation, imagination and high impact.
Previous recipients of the award are Debbie Lee (2024), Chris Godfrey (2023), Caitlin Yeo (2022), Karina Holden (2021), Blackfella Films (2019), Warwick Thornton (2018), Leah Purcell (2017) and Lynette Wallworth (2016).
Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said:
“Screen NSW is delighted to present the 2025 Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award to Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley of Big Bang Sound Design, in recognition of their distinguished careers and commitment to the film industry.
“Libby and Wayne bring over 35 years of experience, creativity and commitment to the industry, with their feature film credits spanning Australian and international films, for which they have received many accolades, reinforcing the critical role of sound in storytelling.
“Their incredible work is an inspiration to the creative community, particularly the next generation of storytellers whom they continue to nurture.”
Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley, Big Bang Sound Design said:
“We are incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the 2025 Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award. To be recognised in a city that celebrates such a rich, diverse storytelling community truly means a lot. This award is very much a shared one.
“We want to thank the incredible collaborators, artists, and crew we’ve had the privilege of working with, especially our Big Bang Sound family. Your creativity, care, and commitment are what make the work meaningful, and we feel lucky every day to be part of this exceptional community.
“We are especially thankful that this recognition highlights the role of sound in storytelling. Sound is such a powerful, yet often invisible part of how we connect to a story. It builds emotion, shapes space, and brings depth to what we see on screen. It’s a joy to see that contribution acknowledged.
A huge thank you to Screen NSW, and Sydney UNESCO City of Film for this honour, and for your ongoing support of creative voices in film. We are deeply grateful.”
Media Release – Screen Australia
Link to Screen NSW HERE
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
Libby Villa and Wayne Pashley of Big Bang Sound Design take home 2025 Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award
