Screenwest is pleased to announce the 2024 Brian Beaton Award is open for submissions.

The highly regarded Brian Beaton Award recognises the valuable contribution esteemed late documentary producer Brian Beaton made to the Western Australian screen industry and honours his memory, by annually awarding a grant to filmmaker/s who have a current social impact project that needs further support to reach its full potential. A social impact project is one that has the potential to contribute positively to the community and instigate social change.

It is open to:

• Western Australian residents of any level of experience who have a current factual social impact project in active development, or that has been recently produced for broadcast, theatrical or online distribution (including VR and interactive projects).
• Development and/or production support, or an outreach campaign to enhance the social impact of the project.
• Projects that are innovative, authentic and creative; respectful of cultural traditions and are interesting and likely to engage the community.

The Award is comprised of financial support through Screenwest grant funding and in-kind mentor support from leading Western Australian industry professionals.

Since its inception in 2018, the award has led to a number of exciting outcomes for each recipient. 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 ABC in March 2021; while Jane Hammond’s Black Cockatoo Crisis won the Change Award at the 2023 Adelaide Film Festival before making its broadcast premiere on SBS and NITV in January. Taryne Laffar and Sam Field’s Our Law was expanded from a 27-minute film into a six-part series for NITV, which premiered in 2023 and was subsequently renewed for a second series, set to premiere later in 2024.

About Brian Beaton

Brian Beaton was a well-respected Western Australian documentary maker with an impressive career spanning over 35 years. He produced award-winning documentaries and factual programs for national and international markets. He had various roles in the industry including Executive Producer at Artemis, and also worked as a producer, director and writer.

Brian and his business partner, Celia Tait, worked together to develop and successfully produce memorable television including Who Do You Think You Are?, Saving Andrew Mallard, Shaun Micallef’s Stairway to Heaven, The Dreamhouse and Desperately Seeking Sheila. Brian also contributed to the screen industry nationally through his advocacy and professional work with Screen Producers Australia, Screenwest and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).

Applications close Monday, 29 April 2024 at 5:00pm AWST.

The full guidelines and application materials are available on the Special Initiatives page of the Screenwest website.

Program Contact

Melissa Hayward, Documentary Executive
Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2116
E: melissa.hayward@screenwest.com.au

www.screenwest.com.au

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