WA Reflections short documentary initiative returns for a third year

• Applications open soon for short documentary production initiative WA Reflections.
• Cook Government funding to offer up to $25,000 each to four documentary projects based on items in the State Library collection.
• Workshop available to provide an overview for interested applicant.

The State Library of Western Australia and Screenwest's WA Reflections short documentary initiative is back for a third year, with interested applicants invited to participate in a workshop exploring how to transform archival content into compelling stories.

WA Reflections is a capacity-building initiative that will enable up to four early to mid-career Western Australian filmmaking teams to produce a documentary film of up to seven minutes long.

Cook Government funding of up to $25,000 is available per project with filmmakers getting the opportunity to share unique stories of Western Australian history, culture and people inspired by items in the State Library collection.

The archival collection items include letters, diaries, journals, ephemera and photographs.

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.

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

Read the guidelines and apply via the Special Initiatives page on the Screenwest website.

Applications close Monday, 13 January 2025 at 5:00pm AWST.

Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

"The collections at the State Library of Western Australia are a treasure trove of amazing stories and I'm proud that our Government's support is again allowing documentary filmmakers to bring these tales to life.

"WA Reflections, a joint initiative between the State Library of Western Australia and Screenwest, not only helps to preserve history but also allows these stories to reach new audiences.

"This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for our homegrown documentary filmmakers to hone their skills while celebrating our rich history, and I encourage all interested creatives to attend the upcoming workshop to learn more."

Comments attributed to CEO and State Librarian Catherine Clark: 

"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." 

Comments attributed to Screenwest CEO  Rikki Lea Bestall

"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." 

WA Reflections – Archive storytelling workshop

The State Library of Western Australia and Screenwest are inviting interested applicants to attend a workshop, which will provide an overview of how to transform archival content into compelling universal stories. Participants will also be given the opportunity to view the collection materials.

Date: Saturday, 30 November 2024
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm AWST
Where: Great Southern Room – State Library of Western Australia, Perth Cultural Centre, 25 Francis Street, Perth 
Registration: Places are limited - secure your spot here.

Program Contact

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

Projects with First Nations key creatives:

Perun Bonser, First Nations Executive
Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2112
E: perun.bonser@screenwest.com.au