Watch the 30th Annual BUFTA Award Ceremony live
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Bond University Film & Television Academy (BUFTA)
Australia's premier filmmaking competition for high schoolers
The Bond University Film & Television Academy Awards, often known simply as the BUFTA Awards, is Bond’s answer to the Oscars – a competitive, fun and fast-paced filmmaking competition open to Year 11 and 12 students across Australia and the globe.* BUFTA provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase filmmaking talent on the national and global stage.
Since its inception in 1996, BUFTA has built a reputation as the premier launching pad for aspiring filmmakers, offering opportunities to develop writing, directing, editing, and production skills. Many of Bond’s Film & Television alumni got their start through BUFTA and have gone on to incredible careers in the global film industry.
But BUFTA is more than just an awards competition. As part of the Bond University Film & Television Academy, students and educators can engage with a range of screen-related initiatives, including:
The BUFTA Roadshow – a series of filmmaking workshops delivered in high schools across Australia.
On-campus Student Workshops – opportunities for students to get hands-on with Bond’s equipment and learn about film production from working industry professionals.
Teacher Professional Development Masterclasses – designed to support and upskill educators in media and film studies.
At the heart of BUFTA remains its prestigious short film competition, with nominees selected each year to attend a red-carpet awards ceremony where their work is shortlisted for a range of prizes, including a full scholarship to study the Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond University!**
*See Terms & Conditions - International Category for details.
**See Terms & Conditions for scholarship eligibility.
BUFTA Endorsements
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:
All about the BUFTA scholarship
Each year, there are a number of prizes offered to the top filmmakers recognised at BUFTA – with the number one accolade, a full scholarship* to study the Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond, going to the winner of the Best Overall Filmmaker award.
The winner of the Jury Prize will receive a 25 percent scholarship* to study the same program.
*Domestic students only are eligible for a scholarship.
All about the BUFTA scholarship - Learn moreOops, something went wrong.
BUFTA Categories
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Animation
Fictional film which wholly uses drawn or created 2D or 3D artwork or static physical models filmed in such a manner as to create the illusion of physical movement.
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Art Film
Neither a documentary, drama, nor, experimental film, the Art Film is none of these, yet, somehow, all of them. In this unique category, filmmakers explore media aesthetics, structures, concepts, and themes in a creative way. Through the representation of conventions, manipulation of codes, and application of technology, they investigate emotional and intellectual responses, communicate tone, mood, and meaning in a very personal form of cinematic artistic expression.
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Comedy
Fictional film in which dramatic storytelling uses humour as a central device.
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Documentary
Nonfictional film which is a creative treatment of actuality involving investigation and research presented in a logically unfolding sequence.
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Drama
Fictional film in which dramatic storytelling develops realistic, identifiable characters dealing with a range of contemporary social and human issues.
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Experimental
Experimental films are often characterised by the absence of linear narrative, the use of abstracting techniques such as out-of-focus, painting or scratching on film, rapid editing and repetition. The goal is often to place the viewer in a more active and thoughtful relationship to the film. Often student experimental films are too long which lessens their impact.
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Music Video
The creative exploration of the unity between song, performance, representation and imagery.
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Sport Film
A chance to tell the Story of Sports! This could mean coverage of one of your school’s sports teams, or swimming or athletic carnival. It could feature one of your school’s sports stars - showcasing their dreams, achievements, and personal journey. It could be your local sports community hero, or someone in your family who competes at state, national or international sports level. Create a short sports story and include the technique of multi-camera live-action, that you have created, within the story.
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International
Open to international students from pre-approved international schools from selected regions, in Year 11 or Year 12 (Australian equivalent). Films entered into the International Category must fall into one of the following genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Music Video, Art Film or Sports Film. International students entered into the International Category are not eligible for any scholarship awards.
SPONSORED BY: STUDY GOLD COAST
Fictional film which wholly uses drawn or created 2D or 3D artwork or static physical models filmed in such a manner as to create the illusion of physical movement.
Neither a documentary, drama, nor, experimental film, the Art Film is none of these, yet, somehow, all of them. In this unique category, filmmakers explore media aesthetics, structures, concepts, and themes in a creative way. Through the representation of conventions, manipulation of codes, and application of technology, they investigate emotional and intellectual responses, communicate tone, mood, and meaning in a very personal form of cinematic artistic expression.
Fictional film in which dramatic storytelling uses humour as a central device.
Nonfictional film which is a creative treatment of actuality involving investigation and research presented in a logically unfolding sequence.
Fictional film in which dramatic storytelling develops realistic, identifiable characters dealing with a range of contemporary social and human issues.
Experimental films are often characterised by the absence of linear narrative, the use of abstracting techniques such as out-of-focus, painting or scratching on film, rapid editing and repetition. The goal is often to place the viewer in a more active and thoughtful relationship to the film. Often student experimental films are too long which lessens their impact.
The creative exploration of the unity between song, performance, representation and imagery.
A chance to tell the Story of Sports! This could mean coverage of one of your school’s sports teams, or swimming or athletic carnival. It could feature one of your school’s sports stars - showcasing their dreams, achievements, and personal journey. It could be your local sports community hero, or someone in your family who competes at state, national or international sports level. Create a short sports story and include the technique of multi-camera live-action, that you have created, within the story.
Open to international students from pre-approved international schools from selected regions, in Year 11 or Year 12 (Australian equivalent). Films entered into the International Category must fall into one of the following genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Music Video, Art Film or Sports Film. International students entered into the International Category are not eligible for any scholarship awards.
SPONSORED BY: STUDY GOLD COAST
Key dates for 2025
Keen on entering BUFTA 2025? Here are some key dates to mark in your calendar.
Entries open: Thursday, 1 May, 2025
Entries close: Monday, 15 September, 2025
Finalist films announced: Monday, 13 October, 2025
Judging day: Wednesday, 15 October, 2025
BUFTA Nominees announced: Monday, 20 October, 2025
Hopes & Dreams Video Deadline: Monday, 20 October, 2025 (midnight AEST)
People’s Choice voting opens: Wednesday, 22 October, 2025
(Please note: You are not required to provide a Hopes & Dreams submission until you are named in the BUFTA Awards nominee announcement. You will receive email instructions on how to submit your Hopes & Dreams video.)
Winners announced: Saturday, 22 November, 2025 at the annual Bond University Film & Television Academy (BUFTA) Awards Ceremony.
Top tips for entering BUFTA
Just like everything we do at Bond, BUFTA is all about you – your idea, your vision, and your final product. Simply let imagination and ambition be your guide! There are a number of categories to enter that cover key film genres – drama, comedy, sport, documentary, animation, experimental, music video, and art film.
Check out our helpful resources for making your short film, including a series of videos from the academic staff behind the Bachelor of Film and Television.
Top tips for entering BUFTA - View categoriesHear from our students
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