View source for Australian Film, Television and Radio School

{{Short description|Screen and broadcast school}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} 
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2022}} 
{{Infobox university
| name = Australian Film Television and Radio School
| established = {{start date and age|1973}}
| type = Screen and broadcast school
| endowment = 
| chancellor = 
| vice_chancellor = 
| undergrad = Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
| postgrad = Master of Arts Screen, Master of Arts Screen: Business and Leadership, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
| city = [[Sydney]]
| state = [[New South Wales]]
| country = Australia
| coor = {{Coord|-33.8946|151.2285|type:edu_region:AU|display=inline,title}}
| campus = The Entertainment Quarter, [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]]
| website = {{URL|aftrs.edu.au}}
| image = Australian Film Television and Radio School-Right view.jpg
| caption = AFTRS building
| faculty = Film, television, and radio
}}

The '''Australian Film Television and Radio School''' ('''AFTRS'''), formerly '''Australian Film and Television School''', is Australia's national screen arts and broadcast school. Opened to students in 1973 as '''Film and Television School''' ('''FTS'''), after accreditation with [[CILECT]] it was renamed '''Australian Film Television School''' ('''AFTS''') in 1976. To coincide with a move to a new location around 1986, the school was renamed the Australian Film Television and Radio School. The school is a Commonwealth Government [[statutory authority]], and is ranked by ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' as one of 15 top global film schools. 

AFTRS has been the training ground for many of Australia's most well-known directors and other filmmakers, including [[Gillian Armstrong]], [[Philip Noyce]], [[Rolf de Heer]], [[Rachel Perkins]], [[Ivan Sen]], [[Warwick Thornton]], and [[Kriv Stenders]], as well as many [[cinematographer]]s, [[film editor]]s, composers, and screenwriters. In addition, there are many radio and television presenters among its alumni, including [[David Speers]].
{{toc limit|3}}

==History==
Writer and broadcaster [[Phillip Adams (writer)|Phillip Adams]] and polymath and [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] politician [[Barry Jones (Australian politician)|Barry Jones]] campaigned for the establishment of a government-supported [[film school]] in Sydney,<ref name=ar2023/> as members of the Australian Interim Council for a National Film and Television Training School.<ref name=adbtoeplitz>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Ahern |first=Steve |title=Jerzy Bonawentura Toeplitz (1909–1995) |id2=toeplitz-jerzy-bonawentura-27628 |year=2021 |volume=19 |access-date=2023-07-16 |language=en}}</ref> They had done similar in [[Melbourne]], leading to the first film courses at [[Swinburne Technical College]] in the mid-1960s and the later establishment of [[Swinburne Film and Television School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=VCA Film and Television Archive |website=Museums and Collections |date=11 September 2024 |url=https://museumsandcollections.unimelb.edu.au/collections/visual_arts/vca-film-and-television-archive |access-date=2 Jan 2025}}</ref> Their aim was to encourage the development of an [[Australian film industry]] through various means, including a national film school and a screen funding organisation. The latter was created as the [[Australian Film Commission]] (AFC).{{efn|The AFC was later superseded by [[Screen Australia]].}} Both major political parties, represented by [[John Gorton]] ([[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]) and [[Gough Whitlam]] (Labor, prime minister from  1972 to 1974) supported the idea,<ref name=ar2023>{{cite report|title=Annual Report 2022-23 | chapter=Chair's introduction| first=Debra |last=Richards |publisher=Australian Film Television and Radio School| via=Australian Government Transparency Portal | url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/communications-and-the-arts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-annual-report-2022-23/chair%27s-introduction | access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref> and in 1972<ref name=bear/> the Film and Television School (FTS), the new national [[film school]] was established. It was opened to students in 1973, with Whitlam officiating at the opening.<ref name=hist>{{cite web | title=Unveiling the history of AFTRS | website=Australian Film Television and Radio School | date=2 May 2024 | url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/news/2024/unveiling-the-history-of-aftrs/ | access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref> On 30 May 1973 a bill introduced by Whitlam passed unanimously in the [[Australian Parliament]], establishing the school as an independent body the status of a [[College of Advanced Education|college of advanced education]], receiving its funds from Parliament and directly responsible to the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. Initially it would run three-year, full-time professional training course as well as short-term programs for industry professionals. It was Australia's first national body of its kind, and began with 34 staff members and a consultative panel of nearly 100 industry professionals and educators. On 7 June 1974 the school's inaugural full-time program was issued. Barry Jones, first council chair of the school, said "We must create one of the world's great schools or we must abandon the project at once. We cannot be a hothouse for mediocrity".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110782315 |title=Film And Television School: A new horizon |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=48 |issue=13,777 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=8 June 1974 |accessdate=3 January 2025 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

The first intake of 12 students on a pilot scheme included future directors and producers [[Gillian Armstrong]],<ref name=bear>{{cite interview|interviewer-last=Bear|interviewer-first= Liza|title=Interview: Gillian Armstrong  |journal=[[Bomb (magazine)|BOMB]]| publisher= New Art Publications|date= Spring 1993 |issue= 43|p= 50–53|url=https://bombmagazine.org/articles/1993/04/01/gillian-armstrong/| first= Gillian |last=Armstrong }}</ref><ref name=nytbio>Erickson, Hal. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131105154501/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/79948/Gillian-Armstrong/biography "Gillian Armstrong – Biography"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> [[Phillip Noyce]], [[Chris Noonan]], [[James Ricketson]], [[Ron Saunders (producer)|Ron Saunders]], and [[Graham Shirley]].<ref name=timeline>{{cite web | title=Our History | website=Australian Film Television and Radio School | date=17 April 2024 | url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/about/why-aftrs/our-history/ | access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref> In 1973, the staff were led by [[Storry Walton]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Gillian Armstrong |website=Australian Film Television and Radio School |date=17 August 2021 |url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/alumni/alumni-showcase/gillian-armstrong/ |access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref> who headed the Interim Training Scheme, then became assistant director in 1974, and deputy director in 1976.<ref name=storry>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213735373 |title=Who's Doing What |newspaper=[[Filmnews]] |volume=10 |issue=4 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 April 1980 |accessdate=3 January 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> 

In August 1975, the school moved to new purpose-built premises in Lyonpark Road, [[North Ryde, New South Wales|North Ryde]], Sydney.<ref name=hist/> In 1976, FTS was accepted as a full member of the [[International Association of Film and Television Schools]] (CILECT), and was renamed the Australian Film Television School (AFTS) in 1976.<ref name=hist/> 

In April 1980, deputy director Storry Walton was appointed director after the departure of Toeplitz,<ref name=storry/> who returned to Poland.<ref name=adbtoeplitz/>

In 1978 the school attained its first accreditation, from the Australian Territories Accreditation Committee for Advanced Education, for its "Diploma in Arts, Film and Television". In 1984 it was reaccredited at Bachelor of Arts (university degree level), when it offered specialisations in [[cinematography]], direction, editing, producing, production design, scriptwriting, and sound. Writer/producer/director [[Kriv Stenders]] graduated in 1988.<ref name=timeline/>

In 1981 A full-time radio course was introduced. In 1986, work began on a new building next to [[Macquarie University]] in North Ryde, and AFTS was renamed the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).<ref name=hist/> 

In 1989, the [[Australian Film Commission]] and [[Film Victoria]] established the "[[Women Applying to Film School]]" initiative in order to increase the low proportion of women being accepted into film schools around the country. In 1990 it was sponsored by [[Women in Film and Television International|Women in Film and Television]] (Vic), with assistance from [[Film Victoria]], AFTRS, [[Swinburne Film and Television School|Swinburne Film and Television Department]], and the Victorian Department of Labour. The intensive course was offered to nine women each year, and spanned two weeks. Anna Kokkinos was a participant in the scheme at AFTRS in 1990.<ref name=women1990>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213877568 |title=Femmes and film |newspaper=[[Filmnews]] |volume=20 |issue=6 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 July 1990 |accessdate=9 December 2024 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}  </ref>

According to a study published in 1995, 96% of graduates were employed in the film and television industry.<ref name=wotherspoon2002/> In 1997, a new masters strand was introduced, on documentary filmmaking.<ref name=hist/> In the same year, cinematographer [[Jan Kenny]] (the first female cinematographer to attain [[Australian Cinematographers Society|ACS]] accreditation) was appointed head of cinematography, a position she held until 2009. Among others, she taught [[Bonnie Elliott]].<ref name=timeline/> 

In 2002, Annabelle Sheehan was head of film and television. At that time, there was a full-time postgraduate program, described as an "intensive, hands-on, production course", with students working on productions in their chosen specialist roles. There were also short courses offered, linked to the full-time program, for external students. There were then 12 departments at the school, including cinematograph, design, directing, sound, [[visual effects]] (one of the few schools globally offering a comprehensive program in Visual Effects Supervision), and [[film production|production]].<ref name=wotherspoon2002>{{Cite journal  | title= Adapt, innovate & collaborate  |first= Alison |last=Wotherspoon| journal=[[RealTime]]  | date=August–September 2002   | issn=1321-4799  | issue= 50  | location=Rushcutters Bay, N.S.W  | publisher=Open City Inc  | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-766818451  | id=nla.obj-766818451  | access-date=13 January 2025 | via=[[Trove]]}} </ref> 

In 2008 AFTRS relocated once again, to a state-of-the-art new building at [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]].<ref name=hist/>

In 2015, a new degree, Bachelor of Arts (Screen), aiming to provide students with a comprehensive screen education was introduced, and later renamed Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production.<ref name=timeline/>

In 2023, on the 50th anniversary of AFTRS, celebrations were held on campus just after [[O-week]], attended by members of the 1973 cohort, including Gillian Armstrong and Philip Noyce. In that year, 38 scholarships were awarded, and an Alumni and Industry Scholarship Fund was established.<ref name=ar2023/><ref name=patterson2023>{{cite web | last=Patterson | first=Sarah | title=50 years of AFTRS | website=Radio Today | date=21 February 2023 | url=https://radiotoday.com.au/50-years-of-aftrs/ | access-date=3 January 2025}}</ref>

==Campus==
For many years AFTRS was located in purpose-built premises at [[North Ryde]], Sydney.  In 2008 the school relocated to a purpose-built facility adjacent to [[Fox Studios Australia|Fox Studios]], located inside the Entertainment Quarter in [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]], Sydney.    
[[File:AFTRS studio.jpg|thumb|A film studio at AFTRS' Moore Park campus]]
The campus includes: a full-size 5.1 sound theatre (seats 126), state-of-the-art mix theatre, two large professional film and television studios, film studios, state-of-the-art sound recording studios, and a host of other facilities and equipment.<ref name="aftrs">{{cite web|url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/about/our-campus/|title=Our Campus - Australian Film Television and Radio School|publisher=aftrs.edu.au|access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref>
==Courses and admission==
Admission into AFTRS degree courses is competitive and based on merit selection. Places are limited. {{as of|2024}} offerings include:<ref name="aftrs2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aftrs.edu.au/|publisher=aftrs.edu.au|title=HOME - Australian Film Television and Radio School|access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref>
*Master of Arts Screen in 9 disciplines (full-time)
*Master of Arts Screen: Business (full-time or part-time)
*Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting (full-time or part-time)
*Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production (full-time)

==Governance ==
As a statutory body,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arts training bodies |website=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |access-date=2008-10-03|date=2008-09-15|url=http://www.arts.gov.au/arts_training_bodies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821130632/http://www.arts.gov.au/arts_training_bodies |archive-date= 2008-08-21}}</ref> AFTRS is governed by the ''Australian Film Television and Radio School Act 1973'' with its Council responsible to the Minister for the Arts, representing the [[Australian Parliament|Federal Parliament]]. There are nine members of the Council:<ref name="council">{{cite web |title=Council |url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/new-chair-australian-film-television-and-radio-council |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=Australian Film Television and Radio School}}</ref>

* three appointed by the [[Governor-General of Australia]];
* three members appointed from convocation by the Council;
* the [[chief executive officer]];
* one staff member elected by staff annually; and
* one student member elected by students annually.

{{as of|April 2024}}, [[Rachel Perkins]] is chair of the council,<ref name =council/> while the CEO is the screenwriter Nell Greenwood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/department/ceo-office/|title=CEO Office|website =Australian Film Television and Radio School|access-date =15 March 2022 }}</ref>

The school is a member of [[ARTS8]]: the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence, a group of arts training organisations funded by the federal government.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/performing-arts/national--performing-arts-training-bodies| title=National training organisations in the performing arts| website=Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. [[Office for the Arts]]| publisher=Australian Government| access-date=26 August 2022| archive-date=27 October 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027164500/https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/performing-arts/national--performing-arts-training-bodies| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Notable staff===
On 25 June 2007, producer [[Sandra Levy (producer)|Sandra Levy]] was appointed CEO of AFTRS. She had previously been  director of television at [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|the ABC]], head of drama at [[Zapruder's Other Films]], director of development [[Nine Network]], and head of drama at both [[Southern Star Group]] and ABC.<ref name=timeline/>

Neil Peplow was director of screen at AFTRS, before spending two years at [[MetFilm School]] in [[London]], and was then appointed CEO of AFTRS on 9 October 2015. He remained in the position until 2019.<ref name=timeline/>

[[John Haeny]] served as Head of Sound between 2001 and 2003.<ref name="Haeny">{{cite web | title=John Haeny: Curriculum Vitae | website=johnhaeny.com | url=https://johnhaeny.com/john-haenys-cv-curriculum-vitae/ | access-date=2025-06-07}}</ref>

==Accolades and ranking==
AFTRS has been ranked in ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'''s list of best film schools in the world since its first appearance in 2010,<ref>{{cite web | title=The best film schools in the world | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=19 August 2010 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/best-film-schools-world-26870/ | access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref> and is the only Australian one listed.<ref name=timeline/> In 2023, the school’s 50th year, ''THR'' included it as one of 15 top global film schools.<ref>{{cite web | last=Brzeski | first=Patrick | last2=Ritman | first2=Alex | last3=Roxborough | first3=Scott | last4=Vlessing | first4=Etan | title=The 15 Top Global Film Schools | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=11 August 2023 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/top-global-film-schools-2023-1235559015/ | access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref>

==AFTRS International VR Award==
[[Amanda Duthie]], [[Adelaide Film Festival]] artistic Director and [[virtual reality]] champion, along with Google Creative Technologist Mathew Tizard and AFTRS Head of Documentary Rachel Landers, sat on the jury for the inaugural [[AFTRS]] International VR Award in 2017.  ''Nothing Happens'', by [[Michelle and Uri Kranot]], won the award, while ''The Other Dakar'' by Selly Raby, based on [[Senegal]]ese mythology, received a Special Mention.<ref>{{cite web | title=Inaugural AFTRS International VR Award Winner & Adl Film Fest VR Program Packages Announced | website=FilmInk | date=3 October 2017 | url=https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/inaugural-aftrs-international-vr-award-winner-adl-film-fest-vr-program-packages-announced/ | access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref> ''The Unknown Patient'', by Australian director [[Michael Beets]] won the award in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | title=Virtual Reality Award | website=Adelaide Film Festival | date=8 June 2020 | url=https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/awards/virtual-reality-award/ | access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref>

==Alumni==
Many alumni of the AFTRS have enjoyed success and accolades throughout their careers. Some of them include being nominated for or winning [[Academy Awards]] (Oscars). As of 2014, the following students and alumni of AFTRS had been nominated for or won Oscars, including:<ref name=aa2014>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aftrs.edu.au/showcase/latest-alumni-success |title=AFTRS Alumni Success - Australian Film Television and Radio School |access-date=2014-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215063534/http://www.aftrs.edu.au/showcase/latest-alumni-success |archive-date=2014-12-15 }}</ref>  
Four AFTRS student films, nominated:<ref name=aa2014/>
* ''Inja'' (2000), directed by Steve Pasvolsky, produced by Joanne Weatherstone
* ''Birthday Boy'' (2003), directed by Sejong Park, produced by Andrew Gregory
* ''The Saviour'', directed by Peter Templeman, produced by Stuart Parkyn
* ''Emily'' (2010),  directed by Ben Mathews, produced by Simon Moore

Three AFTRS Alumni, winners (to 2014):<ref name=aa2014/>
*[[Jane Campion]]: Best Original Screenplay, ''The Piano'' 
*[[Andrew Lesnie]]: Best Achievement in Cinematography, ''The Lord of the Rings'' 
*[[Dion Beebe]]: Best Achievement in Cinematography, ''Memoirs of a Geisha''
<!--- uncited
*[[Margaret Sixel]]: Best Film Editing, ''Mad Max: Fury Road'' 
*[[David White (sound editor)|David White]]: Best Sound Editing, ''Mad Max: Fury Road'' 
*[[Peter Grace (sound engineer)|Peter Grace]]: Best Sound Mixing, ''Hacksaw Ridge''--->

Four AFTRS alumni, nominated (to 2014):<ref name=aa2014/>
*Dion Beebe: Best Achievement in Cinematography, '''Chicago'' 
*Jane Campion: Best Director, ''The Power of the Dog'' 
*Chris Noonan: Best Director, ''Babe'' 
*Pip Karmel Best Editing, ''Shine'' 
<!---*Tony McNamara: Best Original Screenplay, ''The Favourite'' --- uncited--->

===List of notable alumni===
{{alumni|date=August 2020}}
The entire list of AFTRS graduates by year, from 1973 to present, can be viewed on the School's website.<ref name="aftrs5">{{cite web|url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/|title=Our Alumni - Australian Film Television and Radio School|publisher=AFTRS|access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref>

====Directing====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Mario Andreacchio]]
*[[Gillian Armstrong]]
*[[Jane Campion]]
*[[Alister Grierson]]
*[[Rolf de Heer]]
*[[Daniel Krige]]
*[[Jocelyn Moorhouse]]
*[[Chris Noonan]]
*[[Phillip Noyce]]
*[[Rachel Perkins]]
*[[Alex Proyas]]
*[[Michael James Rowland]]
*[[Ivan Sen]]
*[[Cate Shortland]]
*[[Kriv Stenders]]
*[[Meryl Tankard]]
*[[Warwick Thornton]]
*[[Samuel Van Grinsven]]
*[[Rowan Woods]]
{{div col end}}

====Composing====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Amanda Brown (musician)|Amanda Brown]]
*[[Benjamin Speed]]
*[[Matteo Zingales]]
*[[Antony Partos]]
*[[Caitlin Yeo]]
{{div col end}}
====Radio====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Tim Blackwell (broadcaster)|Tim Blackwell]]<ref name=patterson2023/>
*[[Stuart Bocking]]
* [[Simon Marnie]]<ref name=patterson2023/>
*[[Jason Morrison (radio broadcaster)|Jason Morrison]]
*[[Chris Page]]
*[[Kent Small]]
*[[David Speers]]
{{col div end}}

====Producing====
*[[Peter Rees (producer)|Peter Rees]]
*[[Philippa Northeast]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/?q=northeast&graduated=&Apply=Apply&sort=latest|title=Our alumni|publisher=Australian Film, Television and Radio School|access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

====Screenwriting====
*[[Billy Marshall Stoneking]]
*[[Tony McNamara (writer)|Tony McNamara]]

====Cinematography====
*[[Dion Beebe]]
*[[Bonnie Elliott]]<ref>{{Cite interview |title=Interview with acclaimed cinematographer Bonnie Elliott |first=Bonnie |last=Elliott |url=https://screen.nsw.gov.au/news/interview-with-acclaimed-cinematographer-bonnie-elliott|date=6 December 2016 |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=[[Screen NSW]]}}</ref> 
*[[Andrew Lesnie]]

====Editing====
*[[Pip Karmel]]
*[[Margaret Sixel]]

====Design====
*[[Felicity Abbott]]
*[[Melinda Doring]]
<!--
===Animation===
*[[Sejong Park]]
===Television===
*[[Amanda Drury]]
-->

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website |https://www.aftrs.edu.au}}

{{Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Film Television And Radio School}}
[[Category:Australian vocational education and training providers|Film Television and Radio School]]
[[Category:Performing arts education in Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Government agencies of Australia]]
[[Category:Film schools in Australia]]
[[Category:Broadcasting schools]]
[[Category:Philip Cox buildings]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1973]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Sydney]]