Michelle’s Story, which premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival last year, is an intimate look at the roller-coaster life of former Australian Dance Theatre member Ryan over some 10 years, after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at the peak of her career.

Ryan, now artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre, was at the SASA gala event at the Mercury Cinema on Friday, where the 30-minute film won the awards for Best Documentary, Best Short Film and Best Composition (composer Alies Sluiter, with Elena Kats-Chernin).

Michelle Ryan (left) with ‘Michelle’s Story’ production manager Rebecca Elliot. Photo: Andre Castellucci

Girl Asleep, the film-directing debut by Windmill Theatre artistic director Rosemary Myers, was named Best Feature Film. Also premiering at the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival, it was adapted from the theatre company’s coming-of-age play about a girl transported to a strange parallel world during her 15^th birthday party.

The SASAs are presented by the Media Resource Centre, with director Gail Kovatseff saying they play a critical role in recognising the best new talent in the state’s screen industry.

Other winners included: Best Comedy, My Best Friend is Stuck on the Ceiling; Best Performance, Brendan Rock in Nuts; Best Drama, Upside Down Feeling; Best Music Video, Wash Away – Ambleside; Best Web Series, Versus; Best Emerging Producer, Tess O’Flaherty for Dale; and Best Emerging Filmmaker, Marcus McKenzie for Crew Cut.

The Best Screenplay award was shared by Stephen Banham for Heaps Good Hostel and Matt Vesely for My Best Friend is Stuck on the Ceiling, while Jeremy Nicholas (Allie) and Eddie White for (Upsidedown Feeling) tied for Best Direction.

Michelle’s Story will screen at the Dunstan Playhouse on June 20, with an introduction by Ryan, as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s Movie Nights.

Click here to read InDaily’s interview with Michelle Ryan ahead of the screening of Michelle’s Story at the Adelaide Film Festival last year.