ACTF News

The family feature films RUNT and Windcatcher have been recognised for their excellence at the 23^rd annual Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards, held on the Gold Coast on the closing night of the 2025 Screen Forever conference.

RUNT, a classic underdog story adapted from Craig Silvey’s bestselling novel, was named Feature Film Production of the Year.

Windcatcher, the first film made as part of a landmark partnership between Stan and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), won Children’s Production of the Year.

It’s the latest in a long list of accolades for Windcatcher, which has also been honoured at the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, Children’s Cinema Awards, Asian Academy Creative Awards and the Casting Guild of Australia Awards.  

The SPA Awards celebrate great Australian screen productions, honouring the skill, accomplishment and imagination of the SPA member businesses who bring these stories to life. 

ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony said: “We’re thrilled to see these two Australian productions recognised at the SPA Awards. Both Windcatcher and RUNT have so much heart, joy and positivity – the trademarks of classic Australian family films which will be enjoyed by audiences for years to come. Congratulations to the talented and hardworking teams who brought these wonderful films to life.”

Windcatcher was produced by Unless Pictures and Every Cloud Productions (Eternus Group Company) and is a Stan Original Film. With major production investment from Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) in association with VicScreen, the Post Lounge, and Stan. Developed with the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.

RUNT is a See Pictures Pty Ltd production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Financed with support from Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Birdbath, Screen NSW, and Spectrum Entertainment. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Local distribution and international sales by STUDIOCANAL.