Key info: opportunity for graduating BA and MA students to have their film screened at a major European film festival. Prize includes flights and accommodation to attend festival.
Closing date: Monday 10 February 2020
Announcement: Friday, 27 March 2020
About
The EU Film Award is open to students of the AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production and Master of Arts Screen courses graduating in 2020.
- The winner receives:
- A screening of their work at a major European film festival
- Travel to the festival and accommodation
- A visiting program organised by the partner festival
For the 2020 Award, the EU Delegation to Australia has selected the Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland, held between 7-12 July 2020.
The Galway Film Fleadh’s goal is “to be a platform for the boldest new films and to bring audiences and filmmakers from around the world together to share in the wonder of cinema”. To this end they “welcome a mad diversity of filmmaking from all around the world, all generations and cultural backgrounds”.
More information on the festival can be found here.
Application and selection
To apply, you must complete the online form, supplying:
- A written one-page (max 3,000 character) pitch explaining:
- Why you want to attend the Galway Film Fleadh in Ireland
- How your film fits with the festival
- How your attendance at the festival might further your career
- Why now is the right time for you to attend.
- A link to a downloadable version of the film
- A completed AFTRS Distribution Release Form
Applications close at 5:00pm AEDT on Monday 10 February 2020.
You can submit more than one film for consideration; however each film must have its own separate pitch and documentation.
An internal panel of AFTRS staff will shortlist the applications against the criteria, with the winner selected by representatives of the EU Delegation to Australia and the Embassy of Ireland, Canberra. Applicants may also be asked to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
The winner will be announced at AFTRS graduation on 27 March 2020.
Selection criteria
Assessors will consider the following:
- Quality of the film
- Relevance and ‘fit’ of the film for the festival, its themes and aims
- Readiness of the applicant to take advantage of opportunities
Submitted films must be complete and able to be at a “festival ready” standard before the deadline for final submission to the partner festival.
While there is generally no requirement for the film to meet any criteria in terms of topics, genre, formats, lengths, etc., you should review information about the festival on their website and consider how to address any specific themes or aims in your statement.
You should also address how the opportunities that may arise from attending a major European film festival could further your career, and what you will do to add value to your attendance.
If you win
Following announcement, a representative from the EU Delegation will contact the winner and confirm travel arrangements.
The winner will liaise with AFTRS staff from Production and Marketing to confirm they have all distribution releases completed and a final DCP master version of their film that includes the AFTRS logo.
On their return from the festival, the winner will make a presentation on the festival to the Embassy, the EU delegation, and AFTRS.
Background
The EU Film Award is provided by the EU in partnership with a member State. It was originally offered from 2008 to 2014 in the form of a scholarship for travel to a film festival hosted in a member state of the EU. The current Award format and prize was introduced in 2018.
All students graduating from an AFTRS award screen production course (undergraduate or post-graduate) are invited to apply. Applications by graduating students require the submission of a festival-ready film and a supporting statement. The winner is selected on the basis of merit and potential impact of professional development opportunities.