AACTA Pitch: Focus Finalists and Judges Announced

TOP 5 FINALISTS AND JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 AACTA PITCH: FOCUS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) today announced the five finalists and judges for AACTA Pitch: Focus in Partnership with Sony, a national short film development and production initiative for student filmmakers. 

Now in its fourth year, this national short film development and production initiative empowers student filmmakers to quickly create standout, original productions with industry guidance and support. Chosen from a remarkable pool of entries, this year’s finalists are representative of the emerging talent and innovation from QUT, Macquarie University, Flinders University, AFTRS, Curtin University and Edith Cowan University.

The finalists will now shoot a proof of concept with state-of-the-art Sony equipment and present to a judging panel of esteemed judges, who will determine the 2024 recipient. Each finalist will have the opportunity to meet with each of the judges who will guide them through various stages, including the production of their proof of concept and their final pitch. 

The judging panel features Scarlett Koehne, producer of Series Mania winning webseries VIDEOLAND; Bonnie Moir, acclaimed director of LOVE ME, EXPOSURE and the AACTA-nominated short film NOT DARK YET; Jeffrey Walker, a multi-award-winning director known for his work on MODERN FAMILY, LAMBS OF GOD, and ALI’S WEDDING; and Osamah Sami, award winning actor and writer for productions such as ALI’S WEDDING, SHAYDA and HOUSE OF GODS.

Judge and multi-award winning director Jeffrey Walker says “AACTA and Sony’s FOCUS initiative brings exposure and opportunity to a new wave of talented filmmaker. The awesome calibre of projects presented for consideration was intimidating, to say the least.”

“I wish all of our great finalists the best of luck as they move through the final phase of development. Each team will walk away with refined market ready pitch materials and a new network of industry supporters and advocates, with the recipient going on to secure production funds and their shooting equipment needs taken care of by our wonderful partners at SONY. I would encourage the industry to take note of these exceptional, young filmmakers. We will no doubt see much more from them”. said AACTA Awards & Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic.

The five AACTA Pitch: Focus in Partnership with Sony finalists and their loglines are as follows:

ALTER 

Peter Majarich, Sophia Le Ray, Breah Sands – QUT, Macquarie University

A loving husband tries to implant an artificial memory in his wife’s mind before she dies.

EMPTY CHAIRS 

Kristoffer Lucia, Angus Rawson, Lauren Jones, George Graetz, Liam D’Silva – Flinders University

A quirky, socially awkward young woman struggling with loneliness hires actors to play friends for a single evening, but as the night unfolds and the boundaries between performance and reality blur, she must confront the profound difference between fabricated connections and the authenticity of true friendship.

BOY ON THE ROOF

Robin Kalus, Catherine van der Rijt, Annapurna Disha Mukherjee, Ruby Elliott, Kenneth King – AFTRS

When a near-fall causes an eight-year-old boy to lose access to his beloved rooftop, the traumatised child is suddenly confronted with uncomfortable truths about his domestic life and falls mysteriously ill as he struggles to overcome his fears.

LIFE AS USUAL

Lianne Mackessy, Devamanikandan Kannaya Somu, Adisha Bansal, Sarah Johnson – AFTRS

Mila seeks to reclaim a sense of normalcy and connection with her husband during his weekend release from prison, only to face the harsh reality of his trauma and her own helplessness as she prepares to return him to custody.

BETWEEN MOUNTAINS AND OCEANS

Tandin Phubz, Kezang Dechen Choden, Karan Gurung – Edith Cowan University, Curtin University

Between Mountains and Oceans is an exploration of displacement and belonging. It follows three Bhutanese migrants in Australia as they grapple with their identities, dreams, and the distance that separates them from home.

This year’s recipients will receive $15,000 in production funds toward their short film, a loan of Sony equipment kit (valued at over $20,000) to shoot their short film and receive complimentary AACTA Award consideration, invaluable feedback and guidance throughout the production process, ongoing mentoring opportunities, and tickets to the 2025 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group.