His documentary, Loyalty and Leaks - The Untold Gilmore Story, covers the 2019 Federal Election, in particular the local seat of Gilmore.

It has been named as one of six documentaries long-listed for this year's coveted award.

"It's a bit surreal," he said.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect or dream of anything like this," he said.

And he's in good company, with legendary presenters Ray Martin and the ABC's Sarah Ferguson also nominated.

"It's pretty cool, there's little old Michael Pignataro from Nowra up there with the likes of Ray Martin and Sarah Ferguson," he said.

"To be long-listed alongside them is incredible.

"I watched Ray growing up as a kid and was inspired by him and now to be up there alongside him is amazing."

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Pignataro, known to many simply as Piggsy, spent four years capturing and editing footage for the final product - he exposed many of the amazing comings and goings, not only during the campaign, but in the lead-up to the election.

The three-part documentary which has already been screened once on Sky News on WIN, and has been back for an encore run.

The six long-listed Walkleys documentaries will each be screened at the State Library in Sydney on October 14 and will be reduced to the final three finalist on October 15.

"The screening is a way of showcasing the long-form journalism as part of the Walkleys." he said.

"It's been an incredible journey and I can't wait to watch it next month with an audience."

He said the documentary also shows the importance of local, regional media coverage.

"We all know regional media is doing it tough," he said.

"But this is another example of why we need regional media and regional television.

"It is such an important thing for the regional areas, those small local communities.

"When I was filming Loyalty and Leaks, I tried to include a lot of the local media guys to show there are people on the ground here in the Shoalhaven doing great things.

"Important things - people on the ground, day in day out asking those hard and important questions.

"I tried to mix in that aspect, as well as what was happening in the Gilmore campaign itself.

"It was kind of a silent message that there are journos on the ground and regional media needs to be on the ground asking questions of our politicians.

"It's great to see the locals, some of them young, asking those hard questions and it doesn't matter who it is, even the Prime Minister."

He said the nomination was great recognition for what had been a "real team effort".

"Everyone at WIN has been so supportive," he said.

"Obviously, I've been the face of program but it has been a real team effort.

"I shot and produced the documentary in and around work as well as at home.

"If I needed help I asked and colleagues were happy to offer assistance which was much appreciated.

"I suppose my biggest thanks are to national news director Stella Lauri who was a driving force behind the whole process and I can't thank her enough for her efforts that got the project this far."

WIN Wollongong journalist and chief of staff Jared Constable, who also plays a big role in the documentary, will formally introduce the film during its screening at the State Library.

"Jared was instrumental in the project as well and it's nice for him to get some recognition and besides I'm not that great at public speaking," Pignataro laughed.

He's the first to admit it has been an incredible ride. The qualified chef and restaurateur totally changed careers at age 38 to pursue his passion for telling stories and a desire to be in the media.

"Here I am, 14 years later talking about Walkleys, what an amazing journey," he said.

"It's really been a crazy ride but there are lots more stories to tell."

It's not the first time Pignataro's work has been up for awards, he has also been a finalist in the prestigious Kennedy Media Awards both for camera work and regional news, an occasion that brought much amusement for many locals who got to realise "Piggsy" actually does own long pants.

The Walkley Awards will be held and winners announced in November.