Vote for us in the Webby Awards!

02 April 2025

Ballarat National Theatre’s Persuasion Podcast Nominated for a Webby Award!

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Ballarat National Theatre’s Persuasion Podcast, directed by the Liana Emmerson, has been nominated in the category of Podcasts – Scripted (Fiction) in the 29th Annual Webby Awards!

You can now vote to support our production to take out the People's Voice Award. Scroll down for the voting guide.

This nomination is an extraordinary achievement, placing Persuasion Podcast among the top 12% of nearly 13,000 submissions from across the globe. As one of only five nominees in its category, we are standing on the world stage alongside some of the biggest names in digital entertainment, including Audible.

This marks the second time BNT has been recognised by the Webby Awards! Our Pride & Prejudice Podcast was honoured in 2021, also under the direction of Liana Emmerson. Now, with Persuasion Podcast, we are once again proving that a small community theatre company can stand among industry giants!

The Webby Awards are widely regarded as the Internet’s highest honour—the equivalent of an Academy Award for digital excellence. As a Nominee, Persuasion Podcast is in contention for two prestigious awards: ✨ The Webby Award – selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. ✨ The Webby People’s Voice Award – voted on by the public!

This is where YOU come in! We need your help to win the People’s Voice Award! Voting is open now and closes on April 17. Every vote counts, and with your support, we can take home this incredible honour.

The nomination page on the official Webby Awards website showing Persuasion Podcast in the top 5 for the category.

Click here to vote

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🗳 VOTE HERE: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/shows/scripted-fiction

Persuasion Podcast is a cinematic audiobook that transports listeners to 19th century England, immersing them in the life, loves, and longings of Anne Elliot. Featuring an incredible ensemble of volunteer actors, lush ambient soundscapes, and evocative original music by Sarah Barlow, Liana Emmerson, and Helen Gibson, this production brings Jane Austen’s timeless words to life like never before.

🎉 Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement for Ballarat National Theatre and help us share Persuasion Podcast with the world. Thank you for your support—we couldn’t have done this without our amazing community!

A guide to casting your vote

Votes are offically counted, so you will need a verifiable email address to cast your vote. There is one vote in the category per unique email address.

There are 3 steps to vote. All must be completed.

Step 1

Follow the link above to the page for the Podcast - Scripted (Fiction) category.

Select the VOTE button underneath Persuasion Podcast.

Sign up using an email and creating a password, or sign in using a Google account.

NOTE: You haven't voted yet! Make sure you get all the steps.

Step 2

Check your email.

Once an email from Webby's comes through, it will prompt you to verify your email to start the voting process.

Once you've clicked the link, the Webby's website will tell you you're not a robot.

Now it's time to cast your vote.

Step 3

Time to vote!

In the search bar at the top of the website, type in Persuasion and then select it from the list.

Once it thanks you for voting, you know you are done.

Unsure? Keep clicking on the VOTE button for Persuasion until you see a confirmation message.