ASE Cutting it and The Ellie Awards 2025

Join us for a showcase of Post Production. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Australian Screen Editors guild and we have made special preparations for the Ellie Awards - Cutting It Editing Festival double bill. 

Cutting It looks to the future as we build a stronger and more resilient community while the Ellies celebrates the past year of exceptional work while paying homage to the ASE’s rich history.

The two events take place at the historic State Library of NSW, located in the heart of the City on Saturday 6th of December. 

For the first time we will be live streaming both the Awards and Festival so that it has never been easier to attend. For those outside of Sydney we will be setting up watch parties around the country so that everyone has the opportunity to come together no matter where you are.

CUTTING IT

During the day at Cutting It we have four excellent panels digging into real issues that Editors, Assistants, and Post Crew regularly encounter, giving you the tools to thrive in your career.

The provided lunch is a chance to network with your peers and industry representatives (to be announced).

At the end of the festival we will be giving away lucky door prizes courtesy of our sponsors (to be announced).

The panels are:

The Art of Negotiation: 

Focused on employment contracts and featuring legal and editorial experts, this panel will equip post crew with negotiation skills to start their next job on the right footing. 

Featuring renowned documentary Editor Andrea Lang ASE, Monica Davidson from Creative Business plus, and another representative to be announced. Moderated by Fiona Strain ASE.

Front to Back: 

Developed in partnership with Netflix, this panel joins prominent Editors Deborah Peart ASE and Gabriel Dowrick with a show runner (to be announced) as they discuss the advantages of including Editors in pre-production and how to maximise your contribution. Moderated by Danielle Boesenberg.

Responsible Use of Ai: 

Paul Murphy showcases the Ai tools that every editor should know about and the ethics of using them. Bursting through the hype to show what is useful right now as well as highlighting problematic tools to avoid.

Edit Suite Diplomacy: 

Ending the day on a fun note our panel of Editorial Diplomats are provided with nightmare scenarios and must offer strategies for navigating these tricky situations. Featuring farcical situations that are all too real, we explore how to survive the common pitfalls so you can finish the job with your dignity intact and also get hired again on the next one (or not, you can always say no).

Featuring: Christine Cheung, plus more to be announced.

If you would like to submit a scenario to be considered by our diplomats you can send it to us here.

THE ELLIES

As the sun sets we dial up the glamour to announce the winners of 18 awards, accreditation recipients, and a new lifetime member at the Ellie Awards. During the ceremony we will also take a look back at 30 incredible years of ASE history told by the legendary members who have shaped it.

Your ticket includes drinks and canapés with plenty of time to catch up with colleagues and make new connections with the best Editors and post crew in the country.

Tickets to the Ellies and Cutting It are sold individually or via a combo pass that offers an additional 10% off.

The Live Stream tickets provide you access to watch both events from a location of your convenience. We encourage you to invite your industry friends along for viewing parties.

ASE members receive a 20% discount off the full price. Each member can buy two tickets at the reduced rate.

The concession discount is for students, pensioners, healthcare card holders, and seniors. Concession cards must be shown on request.

There are a select number of tickets reserved for underrepresented groups. To apply for these please fill in this form.

We are aware of the challenge that many face with uncertainty in the industry along with the continued pressures of cost of living. We have worked hard to keep these prices as low as possible.

If you are eligible for a discount you should have received an email with a special code to use at checkout. If you are having issues, please contact Gisela at office@screeneditors.com.au

Location

Both events take place in the Auditorium located downstairs at the State Library NSW. 

1 Shakespeare Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

There are two interconnected buildings that make up the library; a historic sandstone and a modern concrete. There are several entrances to the Library but we encourage people to use the entrance highlighted on the map to the new building off Macquarie St that is next to the Library Cafe. From there you walk to the back and down the staircase to the auditorium.

Accessibility Notes

The Library Auditorium is a wheelchair accessible venue. Entrances to the Library are wheelchair and pram-friendly. 

All levels in the two buildings of the State Library of New South Wales, The Macquarie Street building and the Mitchell Library, are accessible via lifts. The lifts are wheelchair accessible and some have braille signage and audible signals. 

If you have a Mobility Parking sticker, you can use the parking spaces at Shakespeare Place, on the corner of Macquarie Street and the Cahill Expressway. 

The Library Auditorium has a hearing loop available.

Livestream and Watch Parties

The livestream ticket will give you access to both events. You will receive your link to watch the day before the event along with a final timetable of when everything is happening.

More information about the livestream will be shared closer to the event.

We are currently planning a series of watch parties around the country. More information about these will be announced closer to the event.

If you would like to host a Watch Party (especially in a regional area) please register your interest by following this link.

FAQ

What Is the difference between Cutting It and the Ellie Awards?

Cutting It is an Editing Festival with a selection of panels and networking events. It starts at 10 am and concludes at 4pm. Dress code is Casual.

The Ellies is an awards ceremony where we announce the winners of the Ellie Awards, Emerging Editor, Accreditees and the Lifetime Achievement award. It also includes opening and closing drinks with canapés. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the event concludes at 11pm. Dress code is Semi Formal.

Where can I find my discount code to buy tickets?

ASE members are eligible for two tickets with a 20% discount. 

You will be emailed this code so look for an email from office@screeneditors.com.au 

Is it possible to attend both events?

We have designed the Day and Night events to be able to easily attend both. There is a different dress code for each event so you should plan ahead for when and where you will change. 

While we encourage people to attend both it is not compulsory. You can book individual tickets to either Cutting It or the Ellie Awards. 

I’m planning on attending both Cutting It and the Ellie Awards, is there a place I can get changed?

We recommend using a location offsite to get changed into your evening wear. 

There will be a cloakroom facility at the Ellie Awards so that you can relax and keep your hands free. There will not be a cloakroom facility at Cutting It but there are lockers provided by the library. Details on how to use them can be found here.

I’m planning on attending both Cutting It and the Ellie Awards, is there a place I can go to hang out in between the events?

For those who have some spare time between Cutting It and the Ellies you can either take a stroll next door at the Royal Botanical Gardens or have a drink at the beautiful roof top bar at the State Library.

What are the transport options to get to the events?

The State Library of NSW is located in the City so there are a lot of transport options to get there.

For timetables, trip planning and other public transport service information call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit www.131500.info 

Train: The closest train stations are Martin Place (3-minute walk) and St James (8-minute walk). 

Bus: There are bus stops in Elizabeth Street near Martin Place (240 metres away) and Castlereagh Street near Martin Place (350 metres away). 

Ferry: Circular Quay is the closest ferry wharf and is a 12-minute walk to the State Library of NSW 

Bike: Bike parking is available along the Domain walkway, outside the Macquarie Street building entrance.

Parking - 187 Macquarie St ($25 if booked online) 

What food is being provided?

Cutting It - Lunch is provided with your ticket. There will be a range of options to cater to various dietary requirements. When you purchase your ticket there will be an option to list your dietary requirements so that we can accurately plan.

In an effort to reduce plastic waste we strongly encourage participants to bring their own reusable bottle to refil at the library.

Ellie Awards - This is a fully catered event with food and beverage included in your ticket. When you purchase your ticket there will be an option to list your dietary requirements so that we can accurately plan.

No food or drinks are allowed in the Auditorium. Water in a sealed container is permitted.

Are there allocated seats or tables at either of these events?

Both Cutting It and the Ellies do not have allocated seating so you are free to sit where there is free space.

I'm not nominated for an award, can I still attend The Ellies?

We encourage all of our members to come and celebrate with us the 30th Anniversary of the ASE and support all of our nominees, accreditees, and life member. This is the biggest post production party of the year and a fantastic way to finish off the year.

I don’t know anyone and I am nervous about attending on my own.

We understand that it can be intimidating to attend events like these if you don’t know anyone. But it does get easier and making connections with your peers is an important way to progress your career.

We encourage you to attend the many ASE social events prior to meet people beforehand.The last Sydney Social is on Sunday 26th October at the Keg and Brew Surry Hills.

When will the watch parties be announced?

We plan on announcing the watch party locations in early November.

Is the livestream ticket for both events?

The livestream ticket will give you access to both Cutting It and the Ellies. We are not selling livestream tickets to individual events.

When will I receive a link for the livestream?

You will receive a link for the livestream the day before the event.

‘This event is presented by The Australian Screen Editors guild (ASE). The State Library of NSW is the venue for this event; however, all content is presented by the ASE who should be contacted with any

enquiries about the event.’