BUFTA Resources for Filmmakers
Have you hit a roadblock with your film? Unsure of what your next step should be? The BUFTA Team have created a collection of resources to help you in your filmmaking journey, including step-by-step guides, links, downloads, and even tips and tricks from our very own Bond Film and Television academic team!
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Where to start?
We have created a flowchart that outlines the different steps involved in creating a BUFTA short film:
Australian Student - Helpful Flowchart
International Category - Helpful FlowchartIf you are looking for a guide to make notes for planning your film, you can also download our Storyboard Notepad.
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Access copyright free music
Wondering where you can get copyright free music for your film? Check out our collection of resources below!
COPYRIGHT FREE MUSIC - NO COST!
- mobygratis - Free music for independent filmmakers by Moby
- incompetech - Music and also Graph Paper
- The Red Ferret - 1 million free and legal music tracks
- Creative Commons (formerly Opsound) - A global community dedicated to better sharing of creative content
RIGHTS FREE MUSIC - PAID ACCESS!
- Audio Network - Quality production music for TV, Film, Video and Advertising
- SMARTassMusic - Music notation services and recording for studios, stage & concerts around the world
- PacDV - A mixture of free and pay-to-download royalty free sound effects, background sounds, and music tracks
FIND OUT WHO OWNS THE COPYRIGHT TO MUSIC
APRA AMCOS can help you find who owns the copyright to music or media that you wish to use, and can even help with obtaining permissions for certain works - check out their website to find out more.
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Tips & Tricks
TIPS FROM THE MASTERS
Cinematographer John Seale has one secret word to help students in a career in film: Perseverance.
To help you persevere in making your short film the best that it can be, check out the links below to hear tips and tricks from our industry-leading Bond University Film & Television academics.
Academy award-winning Australian film director George Miller (of the legendary Mad Max film series ☠️🏜️) has some tips and tricks to help you get started!
PRE-FILMING TIPS & FILMMAKING TRICKS
Head of Film, Screen & Creative Media at Bond, Dr Darren Fisher, provides useful Directors tips and advice on camera selection and discusses his personal preference for selecting a camera with a range of lenses rather than focusing only on high definition.
Associate Professor Dr Michael Sergi talks all about casting and how to find the right actors to play the characters in your film. Hear his advice about film length and overlapping action.
Head of Producing at Bond, Chris Fitchett, discusses the importance of preparation including the selection of cast, crew and equipment, as well as the all-important opening shot.
Listen to Scott Knight, Head of Cinema Studies at Bond, discuss how to achieve film style through techniques including language selection and the use of a storyboard. In this video he also tells us how and when to structure an experimental film through abstract and associational approaches.
Bond University Alumna Hannah Keogh is now kicking major goals in the filmmaking industry - Hear Hannah's top tips from when she was a Bond student!
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Watch Past BUFTA's
The BUFTA Live Broadcast forms part of the curriculum for first-year Bachelor of Film & Television students at Bond University.
Each year our student cohort forms the 'BUFTA Crew' and take on Live Television Broadcast roles. This experiential first-year subject is a truly collaborative effort that sees students take on key roles as directors, audio and lighting specialists, scriptwriters, camera operators, segment producers, stage and floor managers, graphic designers, and much more.Check out past BUFTA's here:
3, 2, 1... ACTION
Bond students at work in the Faculty of Society & Design film studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about BUFTA, or studying film and television at Bond University?
You've come to the right place! Explore the information below, or reach out to us directly at [email protected] if your question isn't covered here.
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What is BUFTA?
BUFTA is the premier short film competition for Year 11 and 12 high school students in Australia, now welcoming global submissions*. As part of the Bond University Film & Television Academy, BUFTA goes beyond the awards ceremony, offering filmmaking workshops, educational opportunities, and professional development for teachers.
The BUFTA Awards culminate in a live red-carpet event, where finalists are celebrated, and category winners are announced. For those who cannot attend in person, the ceremony is broadcast live to a global audience.
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Who organises and produces BUFTA?
BUFTA and its related events are proudly hosted by Bond University’s Faculty of Society & Design.
The BUFTA Awards Ceremony is produced and broadcast live by Bond University’s first-year Bachelor of Film and Television students, giving them hands-on industry experience while showcasing the next generation of filmmaking talent.
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BUFTA sponsorships & how to get involved
Become a BUFTA sponsor
Support the next generation of filmmakers
Partnering with BUFTA is more than a sponsorship. It is an investment in creativity, education and the future of Australia's screen industry. Each year, BUFTA brings together passionate young storytellers, educators and industry professionals to celebrate the innovation and excellence in filmmaking.
As a BUFTA sponsor, you will have the opportunity to:
- Champion emerging talent and help shape the future of film and television.
- Connect with a national audience of students, educators and industry leaders.
- Align your brand with one of Australia's most respected youth creative competitions.
- Be part of the celebration, from red carpet events to film festivals and live broadcasts.
To make supporting BUFTA accessible to a wide range of organisations, we offer a variety of sponsorship tiers designed to suit different levels of involvement and visibility. Whether you are looking to make a major contribution or provide targeted support for a specific category, event or initiative, there's a partnership opportunity to match your goals and values.
If you’re interested in becoming a BUFTA sponsor or learning more about our sponsorship packages, please contact our team at [email protected].
We look forward to you joining us in supporting the filmmakers of tomorrow.
GENERAL ENQUIRY
If you would like further information on the competition, any of our events or are interested in becoming a sponsor of BUFTA please contact our Marketing and Events Team: [email protected]
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
If you are experiencing any technical difficulties while on the BUFTA website or are having trouble uploading your film, please contact our Information Technology Team on [email protected]
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Why study a Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond?
Are you passionate about a career in film, television, or related screen-based media?
The Bachelor of Film and Television is a heavily hands-on and project-based degree that allows you to balance practical filmmaking production experience with creative practice theory, encouraging you to explore and develop your individual creativity and artistic voice.
You will learn in small classes, mentored by international award-winning film writers, producers, and directors. You’ll have unrivalled access to more than 40 editing stations, and the latest creative technologies software and equipment including Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro, Pro-Tools 5.1 HD mixing suites, and a fully equipped three-camera digital television studio. Importantly, you will also gain access to Bond’s equipment loan store that gives you the opportunity to use industry standard lighting, camera, and sound equipment for your own film projects.
Bond’s Bachelor of Film and Television program draws on the University’s strong connections with the local production industry to provide hands on experience and real-life projects for our film and television students. Gain industry credits and make contacts working on movie sets, television shows, and at broadcast events. From day one at Bond, students have access to dedicated film production facilities, broadcast studio, studio control room with industry standard vision and audio mixing, as well as a host of other software and equipment. Students also benefit from access to cutting-edge hardware, including virtual and augmented reality headsets and mobile journalism technology, as well as 3D scanning and asset generation tools for capturing scenes, scouting locations, and designing interactive experiences. For projects that extend beyond the classroom, Bond’s Equipment Loan Store is an invaluable resource, providing students with access to an extensive and ever-growing inventory of industry standard equipment. Did you know? Each year, our film and television students produce more than 300 screen projects... now that's hands-on experience!
This is your story | A reflection on film, featuring Bond University Bachelor of Film and Television voices, projects and behind the scenes footage. Dedicated to Bond University Film and Television students past, present and future.