State Library of WA collection materials.

‘WA Reflections’ short documentary initiative returns for a third year

The State Library of Western Australia and Screenwest are pleased to announce short documentary initiative, WA Reflections, is back for a third year. The initiative uncovers and shares uniquely Western Australian stories with the local community and broader audiences in a creative and engaging way.

WA Reflections is a capacity building initiative for early to mid-career Western Australian filmmaking teams. Selected teams receive up to $25,000 production funding per project to produce a short documentary film (maximum seven minutes duration), creatively utilising items from the State Library’s archive collection.

The State Library’s archival collection items include letters, diaries, journals, ephemera and photographs.

An Executive Producer may be appointed by Screenwest to oversee the delivery of the projects, with expressions of interest now open.

Previous WA Reflections projects range from a dramatisation of a ballroom murder mystery and a celebration of WA’s musical history in the 60s, to insights into the Chinese migrant community of WA and the longest running LGBTQIA+ nightclub in the Southern Hemisphere. All ten past WA Reflections documentary projects can be viewed on the State Library’s website or YouTube channel.

“We’re pleased to announce the third round of WA Reflections as part of the State Library’s mission to collect, preserve and share Western Australia’s history. The State Library’s collection contains a wealth of material for creatives and researchers. This partnership with Screenwest provides access and support for filmmakers and producers to interpret and discover uniquely Western Australian stories.” said Catherine Clark, CEO State Library of WA and State Librarian.

“We’re so pleased to be teaming up with the State Library again for this unique initiative, enabling compelling Western Australian stories to be shared with new audiences. We look forward to seeing how filmmaking teams reimagine the State Library’s collection items for the screen.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

WA Reflections – Archive storytelling workshop

The State Library of WA and Screenwest are inviting interested applicants to attend an archive storytelling workshop. Facilitated by award-winning WA documentary filmmaker Nel Minchin (The Way We Wore, Folau, Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra), the workshop will provide an overview of how to transform archival content into compelling universal stories. Participants attending in person will be given the opportunity to view the collection materials.

A livestream option is available to practitioners who live regionally or are unable to attend in person.

Date: Saturday, 30 November 2024
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm AWST
Where: Great Southern Room – State Library of Western Australia.
Registration: Places are limited – secure your spot here.