NIDA was delighted to host the prestigious Australian Writers’ Guild Awards (AWGIE) for 2025 and join in celebrating the achievements of an extraordinary gathering of writers and industry leaders. The AWGIEs are the only industry awards given by writers to writers judged exclusively on the basis of the writer’s vision. As Australia’s premier institute for performing arts education, we take immense pride in celebrating the outstanding achievements of screenwriters, playwrights, and audio and interactive writers who continue to shape our nation’s cultural landscape, and highlighting for our dramatic writing students inspiring achievements in their chosen field.
NIDA’s Head of Writing, Joe Hepworth, reflected on the significance of the evening in his address:
“Whatever the future of AI, one of the things it will never do is bring people together on nights like these. Whilst we all celebrate individual success and achievement, what makes the AWGIEs special is that we do it with so many friends and colleagues—colleagues who recognise the time, commitment, and often sacrifice it takes to master a craft. And the courage it takes to put your own humanity on the page, stage, and screen.”
The AWGIE Awards recognise the breadth and talent of Australia’s writing community, and we extend our warmest congratulations to all nominees who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and craft in their work this year. We are particularly proud to acknowledge the following NIDA alumni among this year’s nominees and winners:
*Winner: Hilary Bell (Playwriting, 1987) – Stage – Original, for Summer of Harold.
*Winner Jessica Tuckwell (Diploma of Directing, 2013) – Television – Limited Series, for Fake. Shared with Anya Beyersdorf and Hyun Lee.
Campion Decent (Playwriting, 1991) – Stage – Adapted, for Unprecedented.
Donna Abela (Playwriting, 1987) – Audio – Non-Fiction, for Missing Magdalens.
Lewis Treston (Diploma of Playwriting, 2013) – Stage – Original, for Hubris & Humiliation.
Nicholas Brown (Acting, 2000) – Stage – Original, for Sex Magick.
Pearl Tan (Acting, 2005) – Audio – Fiction, for Diversity Work: Episode 1.
Tommy Murphy (Diploma of Directing, 2004) Stage – Adapted, for On the Beach.
Wendy Mocke (Acting, 2017) Comedy – Situation or Narrative, for Gold Diggers: Season 1, Episode 8 ‘Hanging Touch’. Shared with Jack Yabsley.