Deadline Extended – Brian Beaton Award 2022 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).
- Support is available for development and/or production, 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 Brian Beaton Award is a financial grant, made up of Screenwest funding, industry and private donations and mentor support from leading Western Australian industry professionals, who were Brian’s colleagues. The Brian Beaton Award is a type of Public Fund Grant and successful Recipients must agree to both Screenwest’s Public Fund Grant Agreement Terms and Screenwest’s Terms of Trade.
Over the last four years, five WA filmmaking teams have received the award:
- Jane Hammond – Black Cockatoo Crisis (2021)
- Taryne Laffar and Sam Bodhi Field – Our Law (2020)
- Sam Lara and Cathy Henkel – Laura’s Choice (2019)
- Brooke Tia Silcox and Mat de Koning – 29 Years Eight Days (2019)
- Dawn Jackson – Pointe: Dancing on the Knife’s Edge (2018)
The award has led to a number of exciting outcomes for each documentary project. 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 Our Law has been expanded from a 27-minute film into a six-part series for NITV, set to premiere in early 2023.
The Brian Beaton Award is made possible each year with Screenwest grant funding and the generous support of the screen industry and the Screenwest Public Fund.
Applications for 2022
Applications for the 2022 Award close on Monday, 7 November at 5:00pm AWST.
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).
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with Screenwest.