The Australian Film Television and Radio School is marking its 50th anniversary at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia on October 23 with an incredible program of newly restored short films from some of the School’s most celebrated alumni.
In 1973, when AFTRS was founded, inaugural Chair, Barry Jones, declared that the school must be “a revolutionary force” in Australian culture. To mark the 50th anniversary, AFTRS is celebrating this revolutionary spirit and legacy with a program of restored short films by AFTRS alumni who went onto make some of Australia’s most ground-breaking and beloved screen stories.
The selection showcases the remarkable first forays into filmmaking from some of the founding class of ’73 – Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce and Chris Noonan – alongside distinguished directing alumni from the past 50 years: Ivan Sen, Cate Shortland, Robert Connolly, Sue Brooks, Catriona McKenzie and Jane Campion, whose 1986 Cannes Palme d’Or for Best Short Film prize winner Peel, is part of the program.
Gillian Armstrong, one of Australia’s most successful and acclaimed directors, will be a special guest at the screening with her AFTRS’ film One Hundred a Day kicking off the program.
Dr Nell Greenwood, AFTRS CEO said “Our first 50 years has seen AFTRS become one of the world’s top screen and broadcast Schools and a driving force in Australian culture, thanks to the vision and creative courage of graduates like Gillian Armstrong. Gill is a true trail-blazer and the breadth and quality of her work continue to inspire new generations of talent. We’re very proud to showcase these restored prints so these brilliant films can entertain and inspire new audiences.”
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106 minutes | Unclassified 15+