Winners announced for 2019 SPA Awards
As the festivities get underway at the SCREEN FOREVER Gala Party, Screen Producers Australia (SPA) would like to take a moment to congratulate all of our members who were honoured tonight at the 19th annual Screen Producers Australia Awards.
Twenty-one individuals and businesses walked away winners, showcasing the strength of modern Australian storytelling and talent of our local production industry.
Ludo Studio took home the night's biggest honour - the Media Super Production Business of the Year award - in recognition of its immense growth in the past five years from a small office on a Brisbane veranda to a thriving innovative hub employing over fifty creatives and producers on their original productions, including outstanding children's series Bluey, critically acclaimed SBS drama Robbie Hood and groundbreaking vertical video drama series Content.
Bluey also secured the Queenslanders a win for Animated Series Production of the Year, while Robbie Hood saw them share the win for Online Series Production of the Year with Since 1788 Productions.
Going from strength to strength, Ludo Studio tied for Screen Business Export of the Year, celebrating Bluey's position as the first Australian series to be released globally on new streamer Disney +, helping to put Queensland on the map for global audiences.
The win was shared with Porchlight Films, whose 2010 original feature film Animal Kingdom was optioned by John Wells Productions and Warner Television and remade into a US drama series which is now in its fourth season for TNT, providing ongoing jobs in both production and development throughout the period.
"I am constantly impressed by our members. Whether for the big screen or a smartphone screen, the content they produce is a true testament to the enduring power of story and every day their work helps to shape our sense of national identity and makes a significant contribution to our economy. I commend not only tonight's winners and nominees but also the whole SPA membership, for continuing to innovate and thrive in this time of evolution," said Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner.
The full list of winners at the 2018 SPA Awards is as follows:
Children’s Series Production of the Year - Mustangs FC season 2, Matchbox Pictures
Animated Series Production of the Year - Bluey, Ludo Studio
Documentary Program or Series Production of the Year - Employable Me series 2, Northern Pictures
Feature Documentary of the Year - The Australian Dream, GoodThing Productions
Short Film Production of the Year - Judas Collar, No Thing Productions
Online Series Production of the Year - Robbie Hood, Ludo Studio & Since 1788 Productions
Interactive or Game Production of the Year - RONE, StudioBento
Screen Business Export Award - Animal Kingdom, Porchlight Films
Screen Business Export Award - Bluey, Ludo Studio
SBS First Look Grant - Taryne Laffar
Screen Australia Internship - Rachel Higgins
Comedy Program or Series Production of the Year - Rosehaven series 3, Guesswork Television & What Horse?
Telemovie or Mini Series Production of the Year - Lambs of God, Lingo Pictures
Light Entertainment Series Production of the Year - The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Thinkative Television
Services and Facilities Business of the Year - Roar Digital
Lifetime Achievement Award - Anni Browning
Breakthrough Business of the Year - Closer Productions
Drama Series Production of the Year - Bloom, Playmaker Media
Feature Film Production of the Year - Top End Wedding, Goalpost Pictures & KOJO Entertainment
Media Super Production Business of the Year - Ludo Studio
Images from the night are available here.
