Bond University Film & Television Awards (BUFTA)

Australia's premier filmmaking competition for high schoolers

The Bond University Film & Television Awards, often known simply as BUFTA, 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 for the first time in 2023 BUFTA is now open to film submissions from across the globe.*

Since its inception in 1996, BUFTA has established a national reputation as the best way to flex your writing, directing, editing, and production skills with a short film. It’s also been the starting point for many of Bond’s film and television alumni, who are now pursuing incredible, global careers in the industry.  

As well as the experience you’ll gain and the people you’ll meet, one of the best parts of BUFTA is the grand prize. Every year, one student is awarded a full scholarship** to study the Bachelor of Film and Television here at Bond. But that’s not all – there are a host of other awards you could win, ranging from category awards to craft awards.  

Ready to get creative, kickstart the filmmaking process, and go into the running to win a scholarship to Bond?** Good luck! Keep an eye out for key dates, handy hints, and more.

The BUFTA Ceremony Broadcast is produced, directed, and broadcast live by Bond University's first-year Bachelor of Film and Television students. This experiential first-year subject is a truly collaborative effort that sees students take on key roles as directors, audio and lighting specialists, script writers, camera operators, segment producers, stage and floor managers, graphic designers, and much more.

Bond University's Faculty of Society & Design are the proud organisers of BUFTA and it's related events.

*See Terms & Conditions - International Category for details.
**See Terms & Conditions for scholarship eligibility.

BUFTA Endorsements

  • Award-winning Actor

    “I’m a very proud supporter of the Bond University Film and Television Department and BUFTA, Bond’s awards for young Australian filmmakers. As well as my stage work, I’ve worked in film and TV for most of my life and believe it’s the most enjoyable and brilliant career you can have”.

    Daniel Radcliffe - Official BUFTA Supporter
  • Award-winning Australian filmmaker

    “It gives me great pleasure to be the inaugural Patron of BUFTA, Bond University’s Film and Television Awards. The competition is an incredible opportunity for you, the next generation of young filmmakers, to show the world who you are and what you can do. I’m looking forward to seeing all your stories.”

    Phillip Noyce - Official BUFTA Patron
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READY TO ENTER YOUR SHORT-FILM INTO BUFTA? CLICK HERE 

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: 
Could a BUFTA scholarship change your life?

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 per cent scholarship* to study the same program.

*Domestic students only are eligible for a scholarship.

Learn more

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.

Read more

BUFTA Categories

  • 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 sport! 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 a surfer, a skater or a speed rock climber. 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.

  • Introducing in 2023: International Category

    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. 

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.

Key dates for 2023  

Keen on entering BUFTA 2023? Here are some key dates to mark in your calendar.  

Entries open: Monday, 1 May, 2023

Entries close: Friday, 15 September, 2023

Finalist films announced: Monday, 16 October, 2023

Judging day: Wednesday, 18 October, 2023

BUFTA Nominees announced: Monday, 23 October, 2023

People’s Choice voting opens: Wednesday, 25 October, 2023

Hopes & Dreams Video Deadline: Friday, 27 October, 2023 (midnight AEST)

(Please note: You are not required to provide a Hopes & Dreams submission until you are named in the BUFTA nominee announcement. You will receive instructions via email as to how to submit your Hopes & Dreams video.)

Winners announced: Saturday, 25 November, 2023 at the annual Bond University Film & Television Awards (BUFTA) ceremony. 

Hear from our students

Home Alone 2: Austin’s pandemic sequel

The pandemic has taken Austin Macfarlane back to where his filmmaking began -- stalking around home shooting short films, minus the light sabre.

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Tips, tricks and creative inspiration from 2021 BUFTA winner, Ryan Thwaite

We sat down with Ryan to hear all about his experience of creating his award-winning original animation Veronica while completing Year 12, and what challenges he overcame to apply for the BUFTA scholarship competition.

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Meet 2022 BUFTA winner Indiana Allen

Indiana, from Perth's Iona Presentation College, took home the top prize at BUFTA 2022 – a full scholarship to study at Bond.

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Meet 2022 BUFTA Jury Prize winner Jamali van Heerden

Hear from BUFTA 2022 Jury Prize winner Jamali van Heerden on his journey to filmmaking and the inspiration behind 'A Swell State of Mind'.

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EXPLORE MORE BUFTA

Step onto the red carpet