RUNT, the WA-made Australian production largely filmed in York, about a girl and her dog who tries to save their farm, has dominated this year’s WA Screen Culture Awards (WASCA) taking home all four of its nominations.

The film won in key categories including innovation in a narrative feature film with a budget over $1 million and outstanding achievement in writing, production design and original music.

Living up to the saying of never underestimating the power of an underdog, Runt has also impressively surpassed $5.5m at the Australian box office, making it the third highest-grossing locally made film of 2024, after Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Force of Nature: The Dry 2.

Meanwhile, the hard-hitting 59-minute documentary Genocide in the Wildflower State, which explores the brutal history of state-run eugenics and racial assimilation in 20th century Western Australia, also took home multiple awards, including outstanding achievement in directing and performance.

The short film Esperance to Fremantle, which follows a troubled teenager on a journey to reconnect with the father he hasn’t seen since infancy, was another major winner, receiving accolades for innovation in student film and outstanding achievement in cinematography.

Each winner, representing 21 award categories and two special industry awards, was presented with a beautifully crafted trophy made from responsibly sourced WA blackbutt.

The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including cinematographer Frank Mobilio, creative director Ken Leung, and actors Martin Casella and Nicholas Hope, among others.