2025 Nominees

Windcatcher

Unless Pictures, Every Cloud Productions, Australian Children's Television Foundation, Stan, Screen Australia, VicScreen

AUSTRALIA

- Live Action: Children

Windcatcher is a coming-of-age feature by Boyd Quakawoot, a writer of Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander descent who identifies with the Yuwibara people of Mackay, North Queensland. The film is the feature directorial debut of Indigenous director Tanith Glynn-Malony. It is a First Nations story at its heart, but its themes of identity, family and resilience are universal. It is the first feature from the Australian Children's Television Foundation and Stan initiative in Australia. Quakawoot wrote this film to show a quick-witted, spirited Aboriginal hero. He also wanted to show a strong friendship between kids in a small country town and a strong grandfather-grandson connection underpinning the story. This story reflects the universal experiences of many First Nation children growing up in small towns across Australia.