- Finalists selected from a record-breaking 754 submissions from 103 schools across 30 countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Two-night ceremony set to take place in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 26 and Thursday, July 27.
- Link to Hi-Res Assets HERE
Los Angeles, July 7, 2023: BAFTA today announced the 15 finalists for the 2023 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards. This year, a record-breaking 754 submissions were received from 103 schools across 30 countries and included narrative film, animation, documentary, 360 videos, Experiential VR, VR Games and PC Games.
The two-night event will take place on July 26 at The London West Hollywood where the finalist films will be screened, and the finale ceremony will take place on July 27 at Rooftop Cinema Club Arts District, hosted by actor Elliot Knight. The program will also feature networking receptions and screenings in New York, as well as industry meetings and experiences for the finalists.
“The Yugo BAFTA Student Awards provide an important platform for collegiate filmmakers and creatives from all across the globe to showcase their talents and artistry. They are making their voices heard and we are honored and thrilled to help amplify and celebrate this new generation of storytellers,” said BAFTA North America Chair of the Board, Kathryn Busby.
Rui Barros, Global CEO at Yugo said, "We're proud to be supporting tomorrow's young talent through our long-term partnership with BAFTA. This is an extraordinary platform that nurtures and celebrates the future of filmmaking. It's an honor to witness the passion, creativity, and dedication of these young students who are shaping the industry with their unique perspectives. Congratulations to all the finalists who have showcased their exceptional talent and storytelling abilities. Your accomplishments inspire us all, and we eagerly anticipate the incredible journeys that lie ahead for each and every one of you. Good luck!”
The awards have created a legacy for rewarding the next big filmmakers in the industry, with past winners and nominees including Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther,” “Creed”), Abi Damaris Corbin (“Breaking”), Daphne Matziaraki (“4.1 Miles”), Sharat Raju (“Scandal,” “Fear the Walking Dead”), Clara Roquet (“Libertad”), Annie Silverstein (“Bull”), Kristine Stolakis (“Pray Away”), Paloma Baeza (“Poles Apart”), Siqi Song (“Sister”), Shuhao Tse (“Found”) and Kevin Wilson Jr. (“My Nephew Emmett”).
Universities and colleges worldwide were invited to submit their best projects for consideration for six top prizes – the BAFTA Student Film Award for Animation, the BAFTA Student Film Award for Documentary, the BAFTA Student Film Award for Live Action, the BAFTA Student Award for Games, the BAFTA Student Award for Immersive, and the Special Jury Prize.
The finalists were chosen from within the previously announced 79 shortlisted films. All directors on the shortlist are given the opportunity to apply for and join BAFTA’s New Talent programs, which includes year-round access to online events.
The Student Awards are an important component of BAFTA’s extensive Learning, Inclusion and Talent programs, created to ensure that talented individuals are offered a clear pathway to careers in the entertainment industry, uninhibited by background, demographics or personal circumstance. Activities include acclaimed scholarship, mentorship, education and community initiatives.
Yugo, who has sponsored the awards since 2018, will serve as the Official Sponsor for the Yugo BAFTA Student Awards. The Yugo BAFTA Student Awards will also be sponsored by Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, the Official Airline Partner of the Yugo BAFTA Student Awards.
The finalist projects are (listed alphabetically by title with director names):
FOR ANIMATION
Electra
Daria Kashcheeva
Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic
Thaba Ye
Daria Batueva, Preetam Dhar, Merel Hamers, Hannah Judd, Mogau Kekana, Leroy Le Roux
Gobelins, France
The Tornado Outside
Maria Tomazou
National Film and Television School, United Kingdom
FOR DOCUMENTARY
Happy
Laura Rindlisbacher
National Film and Television School, United Kingdom
I Am More Dangerous Dead
Majiye Uchibeke
University of Southern California, United States
The Road Bad & The Place Dark
Borja Larrondo
Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Ireland
FOR LIVE ACTION
ISTINA (Truth)
Tamara Denić
Hamburg Media School, Germany
The Taster
Sophia Bierend
Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany
WE WERE MEANT TO
Tari Wariebi
American Film Institute, United States
FOR GAMES
Crab Rhapsody (Vol.1)
You Liang
University of Southern California, United States
Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions
Rafif Kalantan
National Film and Television School, United Kingdom
Gevaudan 1851
Olivier Carlot
Pôle 3D, France
FOR IMMERSIVE
A Passage
Maximilian Villwock
Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany
Body of Mine
Cameron Kostopoulos
University of Southern California, United States
Gene's Place VR
Oscar Durand, Tatiana Trebisacci, Francisco Navas
New York University, United States
In 2022, The BAFTA Student Film Award for Animation was awarded to Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, Nicolas Mayeur, Etienne Moulin, Hadrien Pinot, Lisa Vicente, Philippine Singer and Alice Letailleur from Pôle 3D, France for “Les Larmes de la Seine.” The BAFTA Student Film Award for Documentary was awarded to Shuhao Tse from New York University, United States for “Found,” while the BAFTA Student Film Award for Live Action was awarded to Shulamit Lifshitz and Oriel Berkovits from The Ma'aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts, Israel for “Girl No. 60427.” The BAFTA Student Award for Games was awarded to Marcus Keable, Hera Hallsdóttir, Urs Shea and Stine Lund from The Animation Workshop VIA University College, Denmark for “Fayburrow,” while the BAFTA Student Award for Immersive was awarded to Austin Wolfe from The Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom for “Aonar.”
The Special Jury Prize, which included a $20,000 honorarium presented by Z by HP, was awarded to Shuhao Tse from New York University, United States for “Found.” The Special Jury of industry luminaries who selected the winning film included Angela Sarafyan (Actor, “Westworld”), Anthony Hemingway (Director, “Genius: Aretha”), Domee Shi (Director, “Turning Red”), Lucy Alibar (Writer, “Where the Crawdads Sing”), and Natalie Kingston (Cinematographer, “Black Bird”).
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For further information:
Caroline Stegner at R&CPMK
About BAFTA
BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit www.bafta.org. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).
About Yugo
Yugo is the first global student housing brand and operator created to enhance students’ overall experiences throughout and beyond college life. Yugo offers a truly differentiated living experience that is environmentally and socially conscious, emotionally supportive and safe. Yugo is the operator of over 110 student living spaces located in nine countries with over 40,000 student beds in over 70 of the top cities in the world for higher education.
For further information please visit: www.yugo.com
Yugo is part of The Dot Group, a transformational force of market leading businesses across the global student living economy shaping a better future for students and creating sustainable value forgenerations to come.
