Screen Producers Australia (SPA) today announced that Australian comedian, writer, actress and director Nina Oyama will join the who’s who of the Australian screen production industry as the host of the 23rd Annual SPA Awards on the Gold Coast in May 2025.
A comedy powerhouse and industry favourite, Nina will bring her signature spark and razor-sharp wit to one of the Australian screen industry’s biggest celebrations. As a proud alumnus of SPA’s Ones To Watch program, her return to the spotlight at SCREEN FOREVER as host is a full-circle moment — and one SPA is delighted to champion.
Nina scored her first TV writing job at 19 after a producer saw her performing stand-up. She is known for her charming, quick-witted persona and self-described “extremely average face.” Nina has carved out a career full of standout moments both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Audiences know her as ditzy receptionist Courtney in Utopia, Abby Matsuda in Deadloch, and from her comedic reporting on Tonightly with Tom Ballard and The Weekly. She’s appeared on Taskmaster Australia, Just for Laughs Sydney, The Project, Australia Debates, and Win The Week. In 2021, her comedy show Nina Oyama is Doing Me Right Now sold out its entire season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
As an actress, Nina has played memorable roles in Kinne Tonight, Dom and Adrian 2020, and Miki Vs The World, where she portrayed a giant panda with depression. As a writer and director, Nina’s credits include You’re Skitting Me, The Chaser’s Election Desk, Squinters, Love Me, and YOLO Crystal Fantasy. She also served as story editor on Hulu/20th Century’s Koala Man, earning a 2023 AWGIE Award for Best Animation.
Alongside collaborator Angus Thompson, Nina co-created The Angus Project for ABC Comedy — a series she also wrote, directed and starred in — and later teamed up with journalist Emma Myers on Latecomers, the groundbreaking disability-led rom-com for SBS Digital Originals that won the 2024 AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy. In the same year, Nina was nominated for AACTA Awards for Best Comedy Performer (Taskmaster Australia) and Best Acting in a Comedy (Deadloch).
She directed the pilot of Urvi Went To An All Girls School, which recently aired on ABC TV, and she will be back on screens as Abby Matsuda in the second season of Deadloch, set to air on Amazon Prime later this year.
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. All Award recipients will be honoured at the prestigious SPA Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast on Thursday, 8 May 2025, the final day of SCREEN FOREVER 39.
Registrations for SCREEN FOREVER 39 are now open HERE
A Gold Coast Badge includes entry to the SPA Awards Ceremony.
