In a first for Australian film schools, students from ECU’s WA Screen Academy will graduate with a coveted broadcast credit on their resume thanks to the ongoing support of the Nine Network Australia.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is pleased to continue the three-year sponsorship arrangement with Nine Perth (2015 – 2018), which includes a televised broadcast package of six student films, sponsorship of 13 student awards, and an internship with the station for ‘Student of the Year’.
WA Screen Academy Director Dr Cathy Henkel said she is very proud to continue ECU’s partnership with Channel Nine for another three years.
“The Channel Nine Awards for Excellence in various specialisations are highly regarded and hotly contested by our students,” she said. “Success and recognition in our industry is largely assessed by the winning of awards, and for our graduates entering the industry, these awards put them a step ahead and get them noticed in the tough and competitive professional world,” Dr Henkel said.
David Mott, Managing Director of Nine Perth said: “Our sponsorship of the WA Screen Academy is a great opportunity to assist in the development of students wishing to carve a career in television.”
“Students will have a unique opportunity to have their films showcased in a television special that will be seen by thousands of people, who will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite WA Screen Academy film online.”
Dr Henkel said the value to students of Nine Network nurturing their talent cannot be underestimated. “WA Screen Academy students will graduate with a broadcast credit on their CV,” she said.
“ECU is the only training institution in Australia that offers such a valued opportunity.”
The final block of the 2015 WA Screen Academy short dramas are in production and will premiere at the WA Screen Academy Gala Screening IMPACT on Thursday, 24 September at Luna Cinemas and screen on Nine in October.
The winner of the Audience Choice Award and Student of the Year Award will be announced in November.