Comedian Rhys Nicholson Announced As Host of the 28th Annual West Australian Screen Awards

Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson has been announced as the official host of the 28th Annual West Australian Screen Awards (WASAs).

The quick-witted comedian from Sydney expressed his excitement for coming to Perth to host the highly anticipated event: "Oh, I can't wait for the awards. Who doesn't love awards? Losers I guess... I'm just so glad Joel Creasey was booked so I could host!"

After winning 'Best Newcomer' at Sydney Comedy Festival in 2012, Nicholson has gone to perform all over the world to critical acclaim, including Edinburgh FRINGE Festival, Dublin's Vodafone Comedy Festival and London's prestigious SOHO Theatre, and has supported the likes of Louis CK (US), Amy Schumer (US), Kathy Griffin (US), Fiona O'Loughlin (AUS) and Wil Anderson (AUS). Most recently, Rhys made headlines for 'marrying' fellow gay comedian Zoe Coombs in a farcical spectacle to highlight the shortcomings of Australia's gay marriage laws.

Nicholson's style of wry humour and satirical wit have developed his trademark for hilarious social commentary and made him one of Australia's favourite young comedians, earning himself a nomination for the prestigious 'Barry Award' at the 2016 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Returning to Perth especially for the WASA's, Nicholson expressed his excitement at helping WA filmmakers celebrate their hard work and achievements: "Western Australia has such a bevy of smart and inventive artsy people. I hope I don't look like an idiot around all of the clever people. Hopefully most of them will be distracted by my sparkly jacket and won't ask me too many questions. I'm also looking forward to some type of Miley Cyrus/Nicki Minaj style feud. I won't be satisfied until a key grip punches out a D.O.P and two nominees are wrestling in the aisles. Let's make it a night to remember...then try and forget."

The 28th WASAs will be held on Monday 4 June 2016 at the prestigious Heath Ledger Theatre at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia. The 2016 red carpet event will feature VIP guests, delicious canapés and premium beverages. Over 500 film industry leaders, West Australian screen practitioners, media, sponsors and industry partners will come together to celebrate the very best in West Australian screen production.

The WASAs is the premier celebration of West Australian screen culture celebrating excellence and achievements in film, short film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary, interactive productions and games. The WASAs are an FTI initiative held to enhance the vibrancy of the Western Australian screen sector through increasing awareness and connecting screen practitioners of all disciplines and career stages.

The 28th Annual WASAs are proudly supported by major partners ScreenWest and Lotterywest and presented in conjunction with Revelation Perth International Film Festival (7 - 17 July 2016).