One of the richest secondary school film and video competitions, the Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA), is now calling for short-film entries from aspiring filmmakers around the nation.
Open to all Australian secondary school students, BUFTA recognises talent and creativity in all areas of filmmaking and aims to encourage students interested in the film and television industry to develop their skills and follow their dreams.
The fiercely contested awards traditionally draw over 110 entries from as many as 80 schools every year. That figure is expected to double this year as BUFTA forges its reputation among secondary schools nationwide as the leading competition of its kind.
And no doubt the impressive grand prize of a full tuition scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at the prestigious Bond University, valued at $68,000, also goes some way towards explaining the immense popularity of the awards.
BUFTA Manager Alex Fischer says this year’s awards are destined to be the best yet, with interest across secondary schools greater than ever thanks to a newly developed educational pack.
Alex spent over six months developing the interactive 3-DVD kit, which is designed to educate and empower young filmmakers and is a valuable resource for students and teachers alike.
“The education pack contains selected works from past competitions that are really of such a high quality that they set the yardstick at a level that challenges the students to rise to the occasion.
“It also offers guided tutorials to help those who have little or no film knowledge understand the basic fundamentals of filmmaking. It covers the four key areas of camera angles, editing, basic visual effects and coverage,” he said.
Applications for the ninth annual Bond University Film and Television Awards open Monday October 3, and close November 4. It is free to enter and the only conditions are films must be no longer than four minutes in length and have permission for any music used.
The awards night will be held at Bond University on the Gold Coast November 25, with winners flown in from around the country to attend the ceremony.