John Weiley filming ‘Antarctica’ (released 1991) with IMAX Camera
Screenworks will present its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Regional to Global Screen Forum 2026, recognising an outstanding contribution to the Australian screen sector.
The inaugural award goes to Australian filmmaker and IMAX pioneer John Weiley, a Northern Rivers local and Screenworks founding board member who has spent more than six decades pushing the boundaries of screen storytelling.
From early documentary and filmmaking and producing iconic Australian feature films, to creating world-leading large-format films including Antarctica and Solarmax, his legacy extends from the global screen industry to his enduring commitment to regional filmmakers.
The award, which celebrates Weiley’s extraordinary career, will be presented by Screenworks Chair Tracey Mair on the second day of the Screen Forum, Thursday 10 September, in Lennox Head, Northern NSW.
Screenworks Chair Tracey Mair said, “It is a genuine privilege to recognise John Weiley, a true pioneer and innovator of the Australian screen sector, with our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. His work has been instrumental in bringing large-format IMAX documentary storytelling to audiences around the world, while his commitment to regional film and TV has benefited generations of filmmakers. John has been an integral part of Screenworks as one of our founding board members, and this award celebrates his extraordinary body of work and enduring screen career.”
Weiley is ranked among Australia’s pre-eminent filmmakers. He organised and hosted the first ever gathering of local regional filmmakers with support from Screen NSW, leading to the establishment of Screenworks in 2000 with John as a founding board member.
Best known as a writer, producer and director of world-leading films in IMAX® IMAX®3D and other formats, he established the Sydney IMAX® theatre, which at the time contained the world’s largest cinema screen, and his company Heliograph created and produced large format films for 30 years.
In 2002 Weiley was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – a rare honour for an Australian film maker – for his body of work in television, and in recognition of Antarctica. The documentary was a peerless critical and commercial success, winning the Prix de Jury at La Geode in Paris and grossing more than $100 million dollars at theatres.
His legacy spans the development of the modern screen industry – from his apprenticeship with Granada UK’s Mitchell/Swallow unit during the early days of contemporary documentary film, to his appointment as the BBC’s youngest producer, where his film The Press We Deserve was described by The Times as “the best film on the subject ever made.”
His body of work includes the documentaries Autopsy on a Dream (about the making of the Sydney Opera House), Wild Australia: The Edge, and Imagine. Prior to working in large format films Weiley produced some of Australia’s most iconic feature films including The Coolangatta Gold, Dimboola, Journey Among Women and Dead Easy.
Regional to Global this year features 60+ speakers across 20+ sessions on the main stage and 20+ intimate roundtables, with industry leaders also sitting down for 30+ one-on-ones, all as part of a jam packed schedule across two days. Delegates can enjoy lunchtime learnings and relaxed networking – all taking place just 15 minutes from Byron Bay on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Vicki Heath – Communications Manager, Screenworks
[email protected] +61 402 355 325
