The 23rd Annual SPA Awards wrapped up in style last night on the final night of SCREEN FOREVER 39, honouring standout Australian productions, production businesses and industry leaders across 18 categories.
Hosted by Nina Oyama, the ceremony recognised everything from animated icons like Bluey, to gritty dramas like Thou Shalt Not Steal, while spotlighting production companies such as Northern Pictures and rising talents like Rae Choi.
The night also saw tributes to longtime contributors, including Antony I. Ginnane, who received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
From Screen Producers Australia:
AUSSIE SCREEN STORIES CELEBRATED AT THE 23RD ANNUAL SPA AWARDS
Last night, stars across the Australian screen industry gathered for a celebration of Aussie screen stories at the 23rd Annual SPA Awards.
Held on the final night of SCREEN FOREVER 39, Australia’s premier screen industry event, the awards celebrate screen productions from members of Screen Producers Australia (SPA), recognising the talent, innovation and dedication of these production businesses in bringing distinctive and powerful Australian stories to the screen.
Hosted by fan-favourite comedian, writer, actress and director Nina Oyama, the ceremony recognised 22 industry-leading screen businesses and professionals across 18 competitive categories.
The Media Super Production Business of the Year Award went to Northern Pictures, whose 2024 productions included the comedy series Austin, the groundbreaking documentary The Jury: Death on the Staircase, and another season of Love on the Spectrum US.
Brisbane-based production studio Ludo Studio was also a major winner on the night, awarded Animated Production of the Year for Bluey and Drama Series Production of the Year for Thou Shalt Not Steal.
In addition to recognising Australian productions and production businesses, the ceremony also celebrated Lana Greenhalgh as the recipient of the Commissioner of the Year Award and veteran producer and industry trailblazer Antony I. Ginnane with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“During a period of enormous change for screen production, both in Australia and overseas, it is vital to celebrate the resilience, creativity and adaptability of the Australian screen sector.”
“Despite the challenges faced by our community recently, producers and production businesses across the country continue to deliver outstanding screen stories across all genres and formats.
“Each production and production business awarded tonight is part of a large membership that represents the best of the Australian screen sector.”
“It was a privilege to celebrate the achievements of all award nominees and winners alongside industry leaders and reaffirm our pride in our vibrant sector.”
said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner
The list of 23rd SPA Awards winners is as follows:
Production Awards:
- Animated Production of the Year – Bluey, Ludo Studio
- Children’s Series Production of the Year – Windcatcher, Every Cloud Productions & Unless Pictures
- Comedy Program or Series Production of the Year – Fisk S3, Origma 45
- Documentary Program or Series Production of the Year – Stuff the British Stole S2, Wooden Horse & WildBear Entertainment with Cream Productions
- Drama Series Production of the Year – Thou Shalt Not Steal, Ludo Studio
- Entertainment Production of the Year – Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things, Fremantle Australia
- Feature Documentary Production of the Year – Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, In Films
- Feature Film Production of the Year – Runt, See Pictures
- Online Series Production of the Year – Bad Ancestors, Purple Carrot Entertainment
- Reality Series Production of the Year – The Great Australian Bake Off S8, BBC Studios Australia
- Short Film Production of the Year – Wishes: Windows & Nests, Karu-Karu
- Telemovie or Miniseries Production of the Year, After the Party, Lingo Pictures & Luminous Beast
Business Awards:
- Breakthrough Business of the Year – Kindling Pictures
- Media Super Production Business of the Year – Northern Pictures
- Screen Business Export Award – Jungle Entertainment for Good Cop, Bad Cop
- Services & Facilities Business of the Year – TAG
Individual Awards:
- Commissioner of the Year Award – Lana Greenhalgh, The Foxtel Group
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Antony I. Ginnane
The Awards ceremony also saw Rae Choi named as the recipient of the $20,000 Ones To Watch Screen Placement, which is supported by Screen Australia.
Helium Pictures was also announced as the winner of the annual SDIN Award for their production, The Assembly.
