AFTRS announces new scholarship recipients

Top row L – R: Ben Lewis | Jacqueline Sharah | Hiruni Dharmasena
Bottom row: L- R: Sarah Young | Alana Calvert

The Australian Film Television & Radio School has announced the recipients of merit-based scholarships.

AFTRS offers over 35 scholarships which, in partnership with industry, support students from under-represented groups to continue their education.

The two recipients of the 2023 Women in Cinematography Scholarship, supported by Sony, are Hiruni Dharmasena and Jacqueline Sharah, both currently studying the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production.

Jacqueline Sharah said: “I feel blessed to have received such a scholarship! Thank you AFTRS and Sony for this opportunity and for recognising emerging female cinematographers. This scholarship allows me to dedicate more time to the final year of my full-time studies to advance my knowledge of cinematic and lighting techniques. My time at AFTRS has been immensely enriching in learning cinematography, and I’m excited to apply these skills during my final year at AFTRS and in the future when working in industry. My goal is to be a Director Of Photography, and I’m inspired by female DOPs who are paving the way for women like me.”

Sophie Blanch has been awarded the 2023 Onbass Gentle Giant Scholarship. This Scholarship was established by Gentle Giant Media Group and the Onbass Fund for students who show creative excellence and who also require financial assistance to study at AFTRS. It is awarded to a student commencing the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production.

The recipient of the 2023 Pariya Taherzadeh Radio Scholarship is Sarah Young and this year’s recipient of the ABC Selwyn Speight Excellence Radio Scholarship is Ben Lewis.  The 2023 Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship has been awarded to Alana Calvert.

CEO of AFTRS, Dr Nell Greenwood, said: “The AFTRS Scholarship program is growing year on year, and we are very grateful to the commitment of our partners who recognise the value of creating opportunities for talented students from under-represented groups in the screen and broadcast industries. We want to open the doors to the School as wide as possible, and we thank our Scholarship funders for their support in creating the next generation of incredible storytellers.

“The screen and broadcast industries are rising to the challenge of ensuring representation from across the Australian community and AFTRS is proud to be at the forefront of that change.”