25th Annual Western Australia Screen Awards to Return to Perth Tonight

The 25th annual WA Screen Awards (WASAs), presented by the Film & Television Institute (FTI) are set to return with a bang at the Astor Theatre in Perth tonight 2 August 2013, with a record number of entries, brand new award categories and celebrity guests including Rachael Blake (SLEEPING BEAUTY, LANTANA, THE STRAITS) and Tony Martin (WILDSIDE, HEARTBREAK HIGH, CANDY).

The WASAs, Western Australia's answer to the AACTAs and Academy Awards, are the premier celebration of West Australian screen culture, celebrating excellence and achievements in feature film, short film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary and games.

The 2013 red carpet gala awards ceremony will be bigger than ever with a record 800 entries with 300
different projects being entered across 33 categories, and a grand total of $33,000 in cash prizes to be
awarded on the night.

As a result of such extraordinary entry numbers, the Gala Awards Ceremony is being held three weeks later than originally planned, to maintain the integrity of the judging process.

"We were absolutely inundated with entries this year, more than doubling what was anticipated. I think
people will be surprised to learn just how many feature films, TV shows, documentaries and more are
produced in Western Australia by Western Australians." said CEO of FTI, Paul Bodlovich.

New award categories for 2013 include 'Best Interactive Narrative' and 'Best Game', which recognize app and game developers as a new breed of on-screen storytellers.

FTI enhances the vibrancy of the WA Screen Sector though the provision of screen events, training,
industry opportunities as well as production development and support. The WASAs aim to connect
audiences with WA screen content and WA screen artists with each other.

To further enhance the connectivity and togetherness of the West Australian film industry, the WASAs has partnered with two of Western Australia's leading film festivals, Revelation Perth International Film
Festival (4 - 14 July 2013) and Cinefest Oz (21 - 25 August 2013) and is set to host special WASA events at both festivals.

The WASA nominees for 2013 will be announced at an exclusive event at Revelation Perth International
Film Festival on Monday 8 July and all WASA-winning short films will be screened at Cinefest Oz in
August, with the Curtin University People's Choice Award being announced following audience votes at
the festival.

The winner of the ScreenWest Outstanding Contribution Award will be a West Australian who has
enhanced the vibrancy of the screen sector through either bringing acclaim and profile to the sector via their own remarkable careers and achievements, or by working behind the scenes to the benefit of other screen practitioners.

FTI encourages all lovers of film to come along and recognise the diverse range of content being produced in Western Australia and the WASA Gala Awards Ceremony tonight 2 August. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 9 July from the FTI website at www.fti.asn.au.