The Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA), a short film competition open to year 11 and 12 secondary school students around Australia, will be held at Bond University’s Princeton Room this Friday, November 14.
BUFTA is a culmination of a year-long promotion around high-schools in Australia to discover promising young filmmakers.
Earlier this year, BUFTA officials took to the road to encourage high-school students in Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Launceston, Brisbane, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Cairns to pursue their interest and career in the Film and Television industry.
Bond University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Professional Officer, Steve Guttormsen, said students were captivated by the content of this year’s BUFTA Roadshow.
“In order to inspire students, we screened a number of successful Bond University short films to students studying video production around Australia,” he said.
“Our presentation allowed us to talk about the critical aspects of filmmaking including lighting, storytelling, music and copyright,” he said.
“We also addressed the method involved in moving the camera effectively and the importance of planning a film production.
“Finally, we encouraged students to enter short films from the categories of Animation, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Comedy and Other,” he said.
Bond University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Events Manager, Anouschka Bridgman, said Bond has since received a number of exciting entries nationwide.
“This year we received 63 entries from 34 different high schools and colleges around Australia,” she said.
“To support this initiative, Bond University offers participants the opportunity to win a full tuition scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television, valued at $79,200, at Bond University’s award winning Centre for Film, Television and Screen-based Media.
“We are very excited to be announcing the winner this Friday,” she said.
Beginning at the University Club, nominees, their friends and family will be taken on a campus tour from 4.00pm onwards.
A VIP cocktail reception in the University Club with local industry professionals, sponsors and Bond University faculty members will follow.
Guests will be escorted to the Princeton Room at 7pm for the Awards Ceremony.
Associate Dean and Head of School of Communication and Media, Dr Jeffrey Brand, said BUFTA was fundamental to the future of the film and television industry.
“Film and Television are industries vital to the future of the Australian creative industries,” Dr Brand said.
“I am proud that Bond University seeks to showcase the best and the brightest Film and Television talent from around the country by offering BUFTA to young filmmakers.
“Previous winners of this prestigious award have gone on to achieve nationwide recognition for their contribution to the industry,” he said.
More information
More information on this year's competition will be available after the official launch, including a fantastic resource pack for schools and filmmakers, which will be on DVD and the website.
BUFTA is sponsored by Bond University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Provisual Australia, JVC, Pacific Film and Television Commission, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Medal Products.