- 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 applicants
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.
Applications open soon and an in-person workshop for interested applicants will be held on Saturday, 30 November from 10am to 1pm at the State Library. Places are limited and bookings can be made online at
An executive producer may be appointed by Screenwest to oversee the delivery of the projects with expressions of interest now open on the Screenwest website at
Guidelines for WA Reflections are available on the Special Initiatives page on the Screenwest website at
WA Reflections documentaries from previous years can be viewed on YouTube at or on the State Library website at
As stated by 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.”
