Press release from Bond University
Future film makers will walk the red carpet on the Gold Coast this month, vying for $85,000 in prizes on offer at the annual Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA).
Seventeen high school students from as far away as Western Australia and Victoria will attend the gala night at Bond University on November 20, selected as finalists from a pool of 83 entries from 36 schools.
The Year 11 and 12 finalists are in the running for a suite of sought-after prizes, including an $80,000 scholarship to study film and television at Bond University.
Mr Michael Sergi, Director of Film and Television at Bond University, said the calibre of entrants continued to impress the judging panel.
“Last year we had 63 entries in the BUFTAs, so we’ve had a 30 per cent increase in interest this year,’’ said Mr Sergi.
“But what has been most pleasing is that the high quantity of entries has not compromised quality – the creativity and eye for film these Year 11 and 12 entrants express seems to grow annually, and this year – the 13th year of the awards – is no exception.’’
The 2005 BUFTA winner, Cameron Edser, took advantage of the competition’s full scholarship at Bond University, for his stop-motion film ‘The Bushman of Bunyip Billabong’.
Since graduating from Bond, Cameron has returned to his hometown of Adelaide where he co-founded his own film company, GooRoo Animation.
“It’s too easy to pick up a camera and put something together with all the latest technology readily available nowadays,’’ said Cameron. “If you’re good at it and enjoy it, then why not make a career out of it?’’
A 2009 finalist hoping to make a career out of film is Sarah Turner from the Gold Coast’s Hillcrest Christian College.
Sarah, 17, has entered the film ‘Saving Fantasia’, an eight-minute short film centred on a mystical world that draws parallels with the real world bid to save Earth from environmental degradation.
“The film focuses on the fact that we don’t necessarily need loads and loads of money to save the world,’’ she said. “It can come down to providing our own individual love and care.’’
Sarah spent a handful of days filming at Pizzey Park and Tallebudgera Creek, followed by a 10-week stint in the editing suite.
The awards include the categories of Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental and Music Video.
BUFTA award winners will be announced at Bond University on November 20. Award sponsors include Bond University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, VideoPro Australia, Gold Coast City Council, Panavision Australia, and Apple.
BUFTA FINALISTS
Animation
Sarah Lang, St Catherine’s School, Victoria
Alex Clapp, Huntingtower School, Victoria
Olivia Love, Ascham College, New South Wales
Comedy
Madeleine Fyfield, Huntingtower School, Victoria
Benjamin Secomb, Redlands College, Queensland
Jordan Fleming, Central Coast Grammar School, New South Wales
Documentary
Nicholas Lever, Saint Francis Xavier College, ACT
Adam Jiwa, Shenton College, West Australia
Josh Goodyer, Launceston College, Tasmania
Drama
Jake Brown, Cranbrook School, New South Wales
Domenic Musolino, St Joseph’s College, New South Wales
James Joo, De La Salle College, Victoria
Adam Jiwa, Shenton College, West Australia
Sarah Turner, Hillcrest Christian College, Queensland
Experimental
Nabilah Nordin, Wesley College, Victoria
Liz Placancica, St Peters Lutheran College, Queensland
Hannah Whiteley, St Peters Lutheran College, Queensland
Music Video
Emma Paine, St Francis Xavier College, ACT