An extremely talented group of high school film and television students from across Australia has been announced as nominees for the 23rd annual Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA).
Sixteen budding young filmmakers from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will be vying for the major prize of a scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at the prestigious Gold Coast University.
Nominees will have their short films showcased on the big screen and be given the full Hollywood treatment at the official gala award ceremony - held at Bond University on the Gold Coast on Saturday, November 24.
The University received almost 200 entries for this year’s BUFTA, which since its inauguration in 1996 has become one of the premiere film competitions for high school students in Australia.
Students let their imaginations run wild across six categories, including animation, comedy, documentary, drama, experimental and music video, with more students than ever before displaying heightened political awareness.
Bond University Director of Film and Television, Associate Professor Michael Sergi, said BUFTA was a stand-out calendar event for the University, adding it was always a difficult task to select final nominees from a list of such strong entries.
“BUFTA is definitely a highlight for us and the students, and it’s fantastic to receive so many entries year upon year. It signals there are so many incredibly passionate students across Australia wanting to pursue a career within the industry,” he said.
“We had almost 200 entries for BUFTA this year and to select only 16 nominees was an enormous and extremely daunting task for the judges, due to the consistently high calibre of talent showcased.”
Australian television presenter and media personality James Mathison will return to host BUFTA for the third consecutive year, with the evening also being produced and directed by a team of Bond University Film and Television students.
Nominees and their guests will enjoy a red carpet gala ceremony, as well as a three-course dinner and entertainment by leading Australian stand-up comedian Rob Brown.
The Best Overall Filmmaker will receive a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond University, and the Jury Prize winner will receive a 25 per cent scholarship.
Category winners will also be announced, while each BUFTA nominee is in the running for the Videopro People’s Choice Award, which will see the winner walk away with a $1,250 gift card to spend at Videopro.
Associate Professor Sergi, who this year reaches the 10-year milestone working on BUFTA, said students continued to strive for greater heights in film production every year.
“The quality of entries received this year is higher than we’ve ever seen before and speaking from my ten years of involvement in BUFTA, I truly believe this will continue to be the case,” he said.
“BUFTA is a fantastic event that gives aspiring film students the chance to showcase, and be recognised for, their filmmaking skills - and for many, it’s a kick-start to a career in the industry.”
The public are encouraged to support the young filmmakers and vote for their favourite nominee film at the BUFTA Facebook Page or the BUFTA website.
The awards ceremony will also be broadcast live on the BUFTA website, and Bond University’s Facebook Live and Instagram pages on Saturday, November 24 at 7pm (AEST).
Below is a full list of nominees for the 2018 BUFTA Awards:
ANIMATION:
- Daniel Tchang, Mansfield State High School (QLD) – Extraordinary Man
- Natalie Yeung, Huntingtower School (VIC) – Kaleidoscope
- Gaween Totawattage, Mansfield State High School (QLD) – Leave Me Alone!
COMEDY:
- Charlie Falconer, Grace Lutheran College (QLD) – Cue Overreaction
- Anna Kubat, Queensland Academy for Creative Industries (QLD) – Inheritance
- Austin Macfarlane, Anglican Church Grammar School (QLD) – The Sock Dimension
DOCUMENTARY:
- Michaela Sutherland, Hillcrest Christian College (QLD) – Born and Bred
- Charlie Falconer, Grace Lutheran College (QLD) – Manu
- Oakley Hands, Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School (WA) – Run Free
DRAMA:
- Maxwell Conaghan, Darwin High School (NT) – Bailey
- Nathan Donly, Hillcrest Christian College (QLD) – Paradox
- Jock Plastow, Glenunga International High School (SA) – Yellow
EXPERIMENTAL:
- Ruby Mcintosh, St Rita’s College (QLD) – Anamnesis
- Jamisyn Chapman, Mary MacKillop College (QLD) – Image en Mouvement
- Luca Cadioli, Queensland Academy of Creative Industries (QLD) – In Aether
MUSIC VIDEO:
- Benjamin Sen, Saint Stephens College (QLD) – Eventually
- Jamisyn Chapman, Mary MacKillop College (QLD) – Not Worth Hiding
- Byron D’Arcy, All Saints Anglican School (QLD) – Throw The Dog a Bone
GOLD COAST FILMMAKER:
- Byron D’Arcy, All Saints Anglican School (QLD) – Throw The Dog a Bone
- Benjamin Sen, Saint Stephens College (QLD) – Eventually
- Michaela Sutherland, Hillcrest Christian College (QLD) – Born and Bred
- Nathan Donly, Hillcrest Christian College (QLD) – Paradox
BEST SCHOOL:
- Hillcrest Christian College (QLD)
- Queensland Academy of Creative Industries (QLD)
- Mansfield State High School (QLD)
- Mary MacKillop College (QLD)