On Saturday 28 November in a Virtual Gala event, Year 12 student Mia Erskine was awarded the Bond University Film & Television (BAFTA) Scholarship Award for ‘Best Overall Filmmaker’ by the university’s Dean of Facility of Society and Design, Professor Derek Carson. She also won the categories of ‘Best Comedy’ and ‘Best Screenplay’ for her comedy film ‘Funhouse! With Ditzy the Clown and Friends’.
By winning ‘Best Overall Filmmaker’ Mia wins a full scholarship to Bond University to study a Bachelor of Film and Television valued at over $90,000.
Mia was very surprised by her win, which she accepted during the live event, surrounded by her family and friends.
Mia’s short film was created as part of her ATAR Media Production and Analysis course. The BUFTA awards is one of the premier film competitions for High School students around Australia. The films selected as winners of each category are films of superior quality exhibiting strong artistic exploration of the category in which the film is entered.
The films demonstrate a very high level of filmic style and creativity in both the subject matter and the manner in which the elements of the category are explored.
Media Coordinator, Mrs Bridgette Stoney said Media forms an integral part of The Arts learning program and is a very popular elective for students.
“We are very fortunate at Mercedes to have a state of the art Media Department, allowing us to foster a love for film television and photography in our students. Students are able to develop their skills across cinematography, lighting, sound, post-production, and more.
“The opportunities available to them are varied, allowing students to follow their passions and creativity. The Media Department is very proud of Mia and all of her success”.
