The AWGIE Awards are annual awards given by the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG), for excellence in screen, television, stage, and radio writing. The 56th Annual AWGIE Awards ceremony is being held in Sydney on 15 February 2024.
History
The AWGIE awards were conceived in 1967, with the first event being held in 1968.[1]Bettina Gorton the wife of prime minister John Gorton was guest of honour at the event held at the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney on 22 March 1968,[2] Also in attendance was Sir Robert Madgwick, chairman of the ABC. There were 250 guests in attendance, only 35 of whom were AWG members.[3]
The 56th Annual AWGIE Awards event is being held on 15 February 2024 at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney.[6] In most categories, the awards are given for works for which principal photography, production, or recording was completed in the 2022 calendar year. Stage productions must have had their first professional production in this year, while interactive media or gaming must have been commercially released in this year.[7]
Description
The awards are given annually at an awards event by the AWG for excellence in screen, television, stage, and radio writing.[1]
Categories
There is a large number of categories, as well as some special awards and industry fellowships. The awards are given specifically for the writing of the scripts and not the finished product.[1]
The Major AWGIE Award is awarded to the outstanding script of that year across all categories.
As of 2024 (56th Annual AWGIE Awards), the award categories are:[7]
The David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre,[8] named after playwright David Williamson, was established in 2013. The annual prize is sponsored by David and Kristin Williamson, and Shane and Cathryn Brennan, and awarded "to the most outstanding script selected from the winners of each of the theatre categories at the AWGIE Awards". The purpose of the fund is "to encourage theatre companies to commission, develop and program a new Australian work".[9] From 2017, the value of the prize was increased to A$100,000, with $20,000 awarded to the playwright, and $80,000 to the theatre company that commissioned and staged the prizewinning play, "when they commission and program a new work by an Australian playwright within the following 12 months".[10]
Dorothy Crawford Award – for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession and the Industry (1984–)[8][1] (after Dorothy Crawford)[13]
Hector Crawford Award – for Outstanding Contribution to the Craft as a Script Producer, Editor or Dramaturg[8] (1991-)[1] (after Hector Crawford; not awarded every year)[13]
Fred Parsons Award – for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Comedy[8](1988-)[1][a]
Richard Lane Award (1988–2019),[1][17] for an outstanding contribution to the AWG (after Richard Lane (1918–2008), who received the inaugural award[18])[13]
Ian Reed Award for Best Script by a First-Time Radio Writer[1] (1998 and 2000 only [13])
Foxtel Fellowship - In Recognition of a Significant and Impressive Body of Work (2007–2013; recipients included Mac Gudgeon, Susan Smith, Kristen Dunphy, Jacquelin Perske); Foxtel Fellowship - In Recognition of an Outstanding and Significant Body of Work in Television (2014, final one)[13]
Richard Wherrett Prize[1] – Recognising Excellence in Australian Playwriting (selected from the winners from all theatre categories, 2007 & 2009 only)[13]
CAL Peer Recognition Prize,[1] awarded to the winner of the Major AWGIE Award (2008–2010 only)[13]