Nigel Westlake will receive this year’s Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award at the Screen Music Awards.
Westlake’s career has spanned more than four decades, and he composed his first film score in 1989.
He is recognised for his score on the Oscar-nominated 1995 film “Babe”, as well as “Ali’s Wedding”, “Paper Planes”, “Miss Potter”, “Babe: Pig in the City”, “Children of the Revolution”, “The Nugget”, “Antarctica”, “The Edge”, “Imagine” and “Solarmax”. He’s also worked on television documentaries, telemovies, news themes and station idents.
His most recent screen work sees him teaming up with director, producer and screenwriter Robert Connolly for the feature film “Blueback”, based on the short story by Tim Winton. The film premiered last month at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival.
Connolly will present Westlake his award on the night.
The 2022 Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award is far from Westlake’s first accolade.
He has previously received the Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival, 11 APRA Awards in the screen and classical music categories, two ARIA Awards and five Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) Awards.
Westlake indicated he was humbled by being selected for this latest award.
“For over three decades, I have had the great privilege to be a part of an inspirational community of free-thinking storytellers who share a passion for bringing Australian stories to the screen,” he said.
“Working in film has enriched my life in so many different ways and I feel blessed to be able to love what I do and do what I love.
“I am deeply humbled to be receiving the 2022 Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the APRA board of directors and the AGSC for considering me a worthy recipient.”
APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston, said Westlake is a national treasure.
“His evocative scores and compositions fill screens and auditoriums, creating a third dimensional magic and richness all in a uniquely Australian way – he is a master.
“Nigel’s generosity of spirit is only matched by his humbleness. He is an enthusiastic collaborator, enormous supporter of the screen and broader composing community, and committed to philanthropy through the wonderful work of the Smugglers of Light Foundation.
“As a previous APRA board member, and long since, Nigel’s influence and impact reaches far. We are very grateful for Nigel’s many decades of service to music and his contribution to Australia’s fast-evolving reputation as a leading music creating nation.”
The 2022 Screen Music Awards will be hosted by Anne Edmonds and Akina Edmonds, on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Melbourne/Naarm. The nominees can be found here.