Star-studded bash celebrates Screenworks’ milestone anniversary

FORMER Neighbours actor Brooke Satchwell and Logie Award-winning Fisk actor Glenn Butcher were among the familiar faces celebrating the Screenworks 25th anniversary on Monday night.

Almost 200 regional filmmakers and members of the local creative community gathered at the Brunswick Picture House to mark the milestone for the Northern Rivers-founded not-for-profit, which supports regional filmmakers in bringing regional Australian voices to screens.

 

Arakwal Bundjalung woman and Byron Shire councillor Aunty Delta Kay delivered the Welcome to Country, followed by a performance from The Docker River Band, who hail from Kaltukatjara (Docker River) on the Northern Territory border in the central desert.

The band – currently on its WA border album east coast tour – helped launch the new Sync the Music initiative from Grow the Music, designed to champion First Nations tracks for use in film and television.

Rwanda-born musician Eric Kagorora, known as I.Rugamba, also took to the stage during the celebration.

Film and TV publicist and Screenworks board member Tracey Mair and actor and TV personality Delvene Delaney were also spotted in the audience.

 

“It was a fabulous mix of people in the audience, with writers, filmmakers, actors, producers and directors we have supported over the years coming together to connect, celebrate and collaborate,” Screenworks CEO Lisa O’Meara said.

“There was a really lovely energy. Screenworks was born and bred in Byron Bay – our first office was in Jonson Street – and 25 years on it’s so exciting to see not only where the organisation has gone, but also where the people we’ve supported have gone.”