HomeAboutWhy AFTRSOur history OUR HISTORY Women's Training Workshop, 1975 THE ORIGINS OF ONE OF THE BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD The Australian Film Television and Radio School, in its successive metamorphoses, started life as the Film and Television School; FTS with the first intake of students into the ‘interim training group’ taking place in 1973 that included Gillian Armstrong, Philip Noyce. In 1976 the School became known as the Australian Film Television School (AFTS) and was admitted as a full member of CILECT (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision), the International Association of Film and Television Schools. In 1986 AFTS became the Australian Film Television and Radio School; AFTRS and the foundation stone was laid for a new building in North Ryde in Sydney adjacent to Macquarie University. In 2008 the School relocated to a state-of-the-art purpose-built facility in Moore Park adjacent to Fox Studios its current home today. OUR MILESTONES 1964 Working party formed to consider the establishment of Film and television School (FTS) 1968 PM John Gorton calls for a report on FTS UNESCO recommendation for the establishment of FTS 1969 Film Committee: Peter Coleman, Philip Adams, Barry Jones begin a tour of international film schools UNESCO resolution passed Film Committee calls for Interim Council PM John Gorton accepts the recommendation Interim Council appointed under Peter Coleman First meeting of Interim Council 1970 John Martin-Jones appointed Acting Executive Officer Film Committee tours international film schools FTS moves into first premises at Spring Street, Chatswood, Sydney First report of Interim Council tabled 1971 Relationship with CILECT (International Association of Film and Television Schools) begins Second report of Interim Council tabled PM John Gorton departs; future of FTS in doubt Philip Adams resigns from Interim Council over continuing prevarication by Government on FTS 1972 Third report of Interim Council tabled Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts Peter Howson announces the establishment of FTS Peter Coleman appointed Chair of FTS Storry Walton appointed Interim Director of FTS Labor Party elected into government 1973 Interim training Scheme commences at Help Street, Chatswood PM Gough Whitlam’s second reading speech New Council members announced First meeting of the Statutory Council under Chair Barry Jones Jerzy Toeplitz appointed Foundation Director of FTS Film and Television School Act passed by Parliament Act given assent Bill enacted to bring FTS into existence 1974 Open Program (short course division) activities begin 1975 First Indigenous training course [radio] Inaugural intake for the three-year full-time program FTS opened at Lyonpark Road North Ryde, by PM Gough Whitlam Liberal/National Party government elected John Morris appointed Acting Chair of FTS 1976 FTS becomes Australian Film Television School (AFTS) AFTS admitted as full member of CILECT Training programs for women begin PM Malcolm Fraser visits the School Tom Jeffrey appointed Chair of AFTS Council 1977 National Graduate Diploma scheme (NGDS) launched Inaugural one-year screenwriting course commences AFTS Victorian Office opens 1978 First graduation from the full-time program Full-time course accredited as Diploma of Arts (Film & Television) 1979 AFTS Director Jerzy Toeplitz retires 1980 NGDS accredited with Graduate Diploma in Media New building promised by PM Malcolm Fraser Storry Walton appointed Director of AFTS 1981 Technical Trainee Scheme commences First full-time radio course begins New building design approved by Federal Cabinet 1982 Open Program active nationally David Ferguson appointed Chair of AFTS Council AFTS hosts 21st CILECT Congress 1984 Full-time program accredited with degree status: BA (Film & Television) Specialist training commences in directing On the job training scheme for women begins 1985 New building construction begins Joe Skrzynski appointed Chair of AFTS Council Anne Deveson appointed Director of AFTS 1986 AFTS becomes Australian Film Television and Radio School [AFTRS] Foundation stone laid for new building in North Ryde 1988 One-year specialist extension course begins Industry Training Fund for Women (ITFW) established Pilot two-year TV directing course begins New building in North Ryde opened by PM Bob Hawke Queensland office opens 1989 John O’Hara appointed Director of AFTRS AFTRS/TAIMA three-year video production course begins 1991 Robin Hughes appointed Chair of AFTRS Council 1993 ATSI strategy commences Full-time Koori TV Course implemented Federal review of AFTRS begins Kenneth B Myer Trust established to fund annual scholarships for AFTRS 1994 Lucienne Joy appointed Head of Radio Federal review is positive 1995 Composer in Residence Scheme initiated Inaugural SummerSkill program held in Sydney 1996 Rod Bishop appointed Director of AFTRS Digital Training Centre opened by Senator Richard Alston 1997 Postgraduate accreditation: Graduate Diploma, MA and MA [Hons] Documentary Unit established Annabelle Sheehan appointed Head of Teaching Tristram Miall appointed Chair of AFTRS Council 1998 SummerSkill program implemented nationally 1999 Graduate Diploma in Television Producing (Non-Drama) offered for the first time The Cyberport Research project, the first online course, launched 2000 Daniel Gilbert appointed Chair of AFTRS Council Annabelle Sheehan appointed Head of Film & Television Steve Ahern appointed Head of Radio SummerSkill program begins in Tasmania 2001 Harvey, written/directed by Peter McDonald is the first AFTRS film to screen at SIGGRAPH 2002 AFTRS Honorary degree is established with the inaugural recipients being Jan Chapman (producer), Don McAlpine (cinematographer), Freda Glynn (co-founder CAAMA), Dojo, written/directed by Nicholas Price is the first AFTRS short film shot on High Definition V. Myer one-year Indigenous Scholarship launched 2003 AFTRS short Inja, written/directed by Steve Pasvolsky, nominated for an Academy Award® Malcolm Long appointed as Director of AFTRS Screen Composition established with Martin Armiger as Head of Department AFTRS Honorary Degree recipients: John Maynard and John Seale 2004 AFTRS student film Birthday Boy, written/directed by Sejong Park wins Best Short Animation at SIGGRAPH, a Dendy Award (Sydney Film Festival), an AFI Award, a BAFTA award and is nominated for an Academy Award® Graham Thorburn appointed Head of Film, Television & Digital Media Macquarie Bank Indigenous Scholarship for emerging indigenous filmmakers commences for a three-year period AFTRS commences application process to become a Higher Education Provider AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: John Clark AM 2005 Australian Government grants AFTRS permission to relocate to a central Sydney location AFTRS approved as a Higher Education Provider, allows students to access FEE-HELP The Centre for Screen Business (CSB) established, David Court appointed Head, officially launched by Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp The Laboratory of Advanced Media Production established AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: Anthony Buckley 2006 FOXTEL scholarship for Exceptional Talent established AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: Ben Gannon AFTRS First Indigenous Fellow: Wayne Blair 2007 Peter Ivany AM appointed Chair of AFTRS Council AFTRS student film The Saviour, written/directed by Peter Templeman is nominated for an Academy Award® Part-time Graduate Certificates are offered in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Minister for the Arts and Sport George Brandis delivers keynote address at gala dinner AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: Dr. George Miller Macquarie Bank Foundation funds Indigenous training courses for three years Sandra Levy appointed CEO of AFTRS 2008 AFTRS relocates from North Ryde to the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, adjacent to Fox Studios New building officially opened in May by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: Baz Luhrmann Review of Award Course Program commences Research & Education Division established. Professor Katherine Blashki appointed Director of Division Friday On My Mind, a free weekly public program commences Jeffrey Katzenberg visits the School 2009 Michael Smellie appointed Chair of AFTRS Council New award course program implemented – Foundation Diploma, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master of Arts by Research Mark Collier appointed as Director of Radio Division The first issue of Lumina, the Australian Journal of Screen Arts and Business is published and distributed AFTRS student film Dead Boring, written/directed by Dave Edwardz is the first 3D student film shot in the world Major collaboration between AFTRS and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) on a feature-length film, Before the Rain, takes place Official launch of Tjamu Tjamu ‘art wall’ by Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles Tjapaljarri Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett delivers keynote address at graduation 2010 Inaugural AFTRS Creative Fellowship awarded to Lynette Wallworth The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) graduate program for Foundation Diploma graduates commences Wim Wenders visits the School 2011 Professor Catherine McConaghy appointed Director of Education Division Three-year partnership with New York University, Tisch School of Arts commences AFTRS Television Industry Research project commences Neil Peplow appointed as Director of Screen Content Division Creative Fellowships awarded to Angelica Mesiti and Christopher Frey Redesigned Open Program implemented Liz Hughes appointed as Director of Division Television Unit established to meet the skills and training requirements of the industry, focusing on non-fiction programs Three students and the Head of Cinematography Kim Batterham participate in the Brother Win Cup International Originality Design contest – trekking across the Gobi desert in China AFTRS Honorary Degree recipient: John Edwards Minister for the Arts The Hon. Simon Crean delivers keynote address at graduation 2012 Master of Screen Arts introduced Friday on My Mind commences in Melbourne Kim Williams AM provides The David & Joan Williams Documentary Fellowship provided to AFTRS to enable a masterclass by acclaimed international documentary-maker, Joe Berlinger Cinéma des Antipodes, a free non-competitive program for the general public, at Cannes includes a dedicated session for AFTRS shorts comprised of Moth, co-written/directed by Meryl Tankard (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2010); Playground, written/directed by Ricardo Skaff (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2010); Emily, written/directed by Ben Matthews (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2010); Inferno, written/directed by Stephen McCallum (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2011); The Last Match, co-written/directed by Julian Shaw (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2011); The Love Song of Iskra Prufrock, written/directed by Lucy Gaffy (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2009) Julianne Schultz AM FAHA appointed Chair of AFTRS Council AFTRS student film Emily, written/directed by Ben Matthews (Graduate Diploma Directing, 2010) selected for 2012 Student Academy Award® AFTRS ranked in industry bible The Hollywood Reporter‘s list of top 25 film schools in the world, the only Australian institution, of any kind, to make the list 2013 The Minister for Communications The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull delivers keynote address at graduation Creative Fellowships awarded to Carl Firth and Damian Power Phil Noyce awarded AFTRS Honorary Degree 2014 Ben Gibson appointed Director of Degree Programs Martin Brown appointed Director of Specialist Program Bachelor of Arts (Screen) developed AFTRS alumnus Jane Campion heads up 2014 Cannes Jury The Hollywood Reporter ranks AFTRS as #13 out of 20 top international film school in the world AFTRS alumnus Patrick Clair wins an Emmy for the titles designs on True Detective Creative Fellowships awarded to Amiel Courtin Wilson and Melissa Anastasi 2015 First intake into the Bachelor of Arts (Screen) Part-time and flexible Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in the specialist craft areas commence Del Kathyrn Barton and Sari Braithwaite awarded AFTRS Creative Fellowships Rachel Perkins awarded Indigenous Creative Fellowship Neil Peplow appointed CEO of AFTRS The Hollywood Reporter ranks AFTRS as one of the best 15 international film schools in the world Student film Kangaroo Guy wins Jury Prize at Montreal Film Festival. AFTRS Indigenous is established, led by Head of Indigenous Kyas Sherriff 2016 Alumna Margaret Sixel wins the Academy Award for Best Editing for Mad Max: Fury Road Alumnus David White wins the Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing for Mad Max: Fury Road VR Noir: A Day Before the Night receives a Proto Award nomination for Most Innovative Work YouTube Pop-up space held at AFTRS campus Indigenous artwork Tjamu Tjamu, 2009 by Kurltjunyintja Giles Tjapaltjarri erected on AFTRS building Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country wins the Venice Special Jury Prize 2017 Alumnus Peter Grace wins the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for Hacksaw Ridge Web series What’s Your Flava? created by BA students is released Virgin Australia Scholarship announced Dr Ian Lang appointed as Director of Curriculum and Registrar Dr Georgie McClean appointed as Head of Corporate Strategy and Governance Head of Indigenous Kyas Sherriff appointed to Executive Team Russel Howcroft appointed as Chair of AFTRS Council Record number of Indigenous students enrolled Bruce Pascoe appointed as inaugural Elder in Residence Katrina Sedgwick appointed to AFTRS Council Alumnus Phillip Noyce awarded the AACTA Longford Lyell Award Annabelle Herd appointed to AFTRS Council AFTRS launches Talent Camp in partnership with the Australian Writers’ Guild, Screen Australia and state and territory screen agencies 2018 Alumnus Tony McNamara wins the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Favourite Alumnus Tony McNamara receives an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay for The Favourite Dr Nell Greenwood appointed as Director of Curriculum and Student Registrar Peter Tonagh appointed to AFTRS Council Bridgit Ikin awarded AFTRS Honorary Degree Media Lab: a free teaching and learning resource is launched nationally AFTRS and 72andSunny partners to create Storytellers Wanted campaign Cameron Patrick appointed as Head of Music AFTRS student film Dots by Eric Lenartowicz selected for the 71st Cannes Film Festival in the Cinéfondation section The Greenhouse by Thomas Wilson-White screens at the Croisette as part of Cannes Film Festival Shadows by Eugene Dyson and Hector Malot: The Last Day of the Year by Jacqueline Lentzou screens at the Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival Peel by Jane Campion, Milk by Mairi Cameron, The Dam by Brendan McDonall, The Virgin by Jack Yabsley, Leg It by Rachel Mackey and Cattle by Kerinne Jenkins screen at the Cinema des Antipodes AFTRS showcase White Paper No. 1 – VR Noir is published White Paper No. 2 – Precipice Binaural is published Rowan Woods and Tony Ayres win BAFTA awards for International Live Action for Nowhere Boys: Two Moons Rising Krista Jordan appointed as Head of Animation Alumnus Warwick Young awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) Alumna Sue Maslin appointed as an Officer (OA) of the Order of Australia Richard Welch appointed as Head of Documentary Lumina podcast launched 2019 Sequin in a Blue Room, directed by Samuel Van Grinsven, becomes the first student-made feature to be produced at AFTRS Sequin in a Blue Room wins the Sydney Film Festival Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Sequin in a Blue Room receives an AACTA nomination for Best Indie Film. Short animation Lost & Found by alumnus Bradley Slabe shortlisted for an Academy Award Babyteeth by alumna Shannon Murphy premieres at Venice International Film Festival with Murphy the only female director in competition Charlie’s Grant launched and awarded to inaugural recipient, Thomas Wilson White AFTRS Indigenous launches Talk Talk podcast Rachel Perkins receives the AIF Animal Logic Entertainment Illuminate Award Sonia Smallacombe appointed as new Elder in Residence AFTRS & RCS breakthrough for studio accessibility with voice annotation software Audible Inspiring Voices Scholarship for Women, Onbass Giant Steps Scholarship and Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship launched Marvel Studios launches trainee program for AFTRS students and graduates Record attendance in person and online for annual Open Day Sydney Film Festival program launch live streamed from AFTRS studios AFTRS partners with 72andSunny to provide internship and mentorship opportunities for AFTRS students and graduates Grant Maling awarded the SCA fellowship Nathan Mewett awarded the EU Film Award Record number of Indigenous graduates Christina Alvarez announced as Director of Partnerships & Development 2020 Dr Nell Greenwood appointed as CEO Sequin in a Blue Room screens at Palm Springs International Film Festival AFTRS launches series of professional development seminars Short Sharp and Immediately Useful AFTRS partners with FBi Radio to create educational podcast, Radio Brain Online talks series, TALKS @ AFTRS, Indigenous Masterclasses and Emerging, Gifted and X launched Graduate Diploma in Radio students air first ever remotely broadcast pop-up, ‘Show Radio – Special Edition’ Radio alumna Pariya Taherzadeh wins Gold and Silver prizes at New York Festivals Radio Awards for radio documentary Escape from Iran. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Australian Film Television and Radio School would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Bidjigal people and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, on whose land we meet, work, study and teach. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all nations of this land. AFTRS PORTAL CURRENT STUDENTS AFTRS STAFF CONTACT US SAFETY AND SECURITY GOVERNANCE LIBRARY WORK AT AFTRS NEWSLETTER Stay updated on all upcoming courses, news & events. By sharing your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. facebook twitter instagram youtube linkedin email Privacy T&C FOI TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12011 CRICOS Provider Code: 03662D