Screenwest announces successful recipients of Brian Beaton Award, Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator and Producer Talent Accelerator – Screenwest is pleased to announce Western Australian social impact documentary, Songlines is the recipient of the highly regarded Brian Beaton Award.
The Brian Beaton Award recognises the valuable contribution esteemed late documentary producer Brian Beaton made to the Western Australian screen industry.
It honours his memory by awarding a grant of up to $20,000 and mentor support to a Western Australian social impact project that needs further support to reach its full potential.
Songlines is a feature documentary directed by Quentin Curzon and produced by Kelly Warden, which follows Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper as she embarks on a quest to save the world’s oldest stories, sacred rock art that has endured for over 50,000 years.
This gripping feature documentary follows Raelene’s journey from the red dust of Country to the fluorescent corridors of courts, government offices, and the United Nations.
Along the way, she gathers a growing circle of allies, including scientists, politicians, environmentalists, and fellow Custodians, united by a shared belief that Culture and Country must be protected at all costs.
“Congratulations to the Songlines team for their ongoing tenacity and commitment to bring this important documentary to the screen – matched by the tenacity and commitment of Raelene Cooper to save her Country, Murujuga from powerful mining interests. The intimate access to Raelene’s fight shines a light on how Australia manages both its cultural inheritance and its global relevance,”
– said Celia Tait, Brian Beaton Award Co-Founder.
“It’s an honour to show people the beauty of this spiritual, powerful and sacred place, that me and my family are fighting for. This award recognises the hard work of our whole team and the many people standing with us to protect our Ngurra. Songlines comes from ancient songs, ancient stories, ancient knowledge, from ancient culture from the beginning of time. It’s about truth telling – and I’m proud to see my story supported by the WA screen industry. There’s a lot in the pipeline for 2026 – keep an eye out!”
– said Raelene Cooper.
“Like many across the country, we have been deeply inspired by Raelene’s David and Goliath battle to protect sacred Country, culture, and the climate in the face of expanding fossil fuel projects. We are proud to be working alongside Rae to produce this film and grateful for Screenwest’s support at this crucial stage as we move toward production. We thank Mr Beaton’s family for continuing to support social justice storytelling in Western Australia and are honoured to contribute to his legacy,”
– said Quentin Curzon and Kelly Warden.
Since its inception in 2018, the Brian Beaton Award has led to a number of exciting outcomes for its recipients. Sam Lara and Cathy Henkel’s Laura’s Choice won the inaugural Hot Docs prize at the 2020 Australian International Documentary Conference and premiered as a two-part series on the ABC. Jane Hammond’s Black Cockatoo Crisiswon the Change Award at the 2023 Adelaide Film Festival before making its broadcast premiere on SBS and NITV. Taryne Laffar and Sam Field’s Our Lawwas expanded from a 27-minute film into two seasons of television for NITV.
Screenwest is pleased to announce Western Australian writer Jamey Claffey is the successful recipient of the Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator initiative, receiving up to $100,000 to develop her professional writing skills and screen projects.
The initiative is a year-long skills development program for early to mid-career Western Australian writers.
The program will accelerate Jamey’s career by expanding her creative development skills and screen industry contacts, bridging the gap between her ideas and the marketplace.
Across the next twelve months, Jamey will invest $80,000 in professional development, enabling her to work with some of Australia’s most coveted production companies and industry leaders. She will also invest $20,000 towards development of her own slate of projects.
Jamey is a Western Australian screenwriter, script developer and consultant. Having worked with producers, writers and commissioning teams for the likes of Audible, Fremantle, Dreamchaser, Left Bank Pictures and the BBC across the last 10 years, Jamey is now creating and writing her own slate of TV projects.
“I’m deeply grateful to Screenwest for this opportunity and greatly honoured to be connected to Bill Warnock’s incredible legacy. The Accelerator initiative will be career-changing. The placement component will allow me to refine my screenwriting craft under professional guidance and gain experience as a writer on a prestige drama series. The travel fund will enable me to expand my creative networks by attending conferences on the east coast and in the UK. I look forward to building a sustainable, full-time career as a Western Australian screenwriter and being a part of this exciting period of growth for WA’s screen industry,”
– said Jamey Claffey.
The late Bill Warnock (1934 – 2001) was a revered playwright, screenwriter, novelist, poet and activist who was passionate about the arts in Western Australia. Together with fellow Lotterywest Board Member John Fiocco was integral in amending the Lotteries Commission Act (WA) to mandate a fixed percentage of Lotterywest sales to the Festival of Perth and Screenwest each year. Warnock is survived by his wife Diana and children, Kylie and Adam, who carry on his legacy.
“Jamey Claffey, this year’s recipient of the Bill Warnock Accelerator, is an absolute powerhouse, and the Warnock family were excited to meet her last month. As an artistic family, we are incredibly pleased to be associated with this prestigious award,”
– said Adam Warnock.
“Congratulations Jamey! We are excited to support you and your wonderful slate of projects with the Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator. Screenwest is committed to investing in local WA talent like Jamey. This opportunity is a tangible step in building your career as screenwriter and creator – we can’t wait to see what you do next,”
– said Michael Drake, Screenwest Development Executive: Talent and Content.
Screenwest is pleased to announce Western Australian producer Kara Pisconeri is the successful recipient of the Screenwest Producer Talent Accelerator initiative, receiving up to $100,000 to put towards professional development and their slate of projects.
The initiative is a year-long skills development program designed to accelerate the careers of early to mid-career Western Australian producers.
The program will fast-track Kara’s career by connecting her with the marketplace, expanding her screen industry contacts and accelerating the development of her slate.
Across the next twelve months, Kara will invest $80,000 towards professional development, enabling her to attend key markets, network and work with some of Australia’s most coveted production companies and industry leaders. She will also invest $20,000 in project development.
Kara is a Western Australian producer and founder of WA production company, Hidden Aces Entertainment. With a background in publicity and marketing, Kara brings strategic thinking to every project. She has produced a number of film and TV projects over the last decade, and in 2024 was declared one of Screen Producers Australia’s Ones to Watch.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn from incredible producers and build international connections that usually feel impossible to access independently. The next year will be spent understanding how co-productions actually work while developing projects with some incredibly talented emerging WA creatives. It’s the kind of opportunity that genuinely changes what’s possible for your slate, and I’m excited.”
– said Kara Pisconeri.
“We are so pleased to be supporting Kara through the Producer Talent Accelerator. This opportunity is a strategic next step following her success in last year’s Ones to Watch program, helping her continue to build on that momentum. Screenwest is committed to investing in local WA talent, and we’re incredibly proud to champion Kara as she takes this next important step in her producing career,”
– said Tenille Kennedy, Screenwest Head of Scripted: Content and Talent.
Media Release – Screenwest
Link to Screenwest HERE
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
Screenwest announces successful recipients of Brian Beaton Award, Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator and Producer Talent Accelerator
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