Student’s film acclaimed with BUFTA gong

The hard work paid off for Busselton student Lucy Wiese recently when she won the best art film prize at the 2020 Bond University Film and Television Awards.

Wiese, pictured, is an enthusiast of fantasy movies, and implemented her love of the genre into her recent film Ymir, which highlights mental health issues.

The 17-year-old said the level of support and appreciation for the film was a surprise and she was extremely grateful.

“To know that there are people who have watched my film, and had thoughts about my film, is so cool. That’s all I wanted,” said the Georgiana Molloy Anglican School graduate.

BUFTA is a premier short film contest or aspiring Australian filmmakers in Years 11 and 12.

The competition enables teens to receive a scholarship for a Bachelor of Film and Television course at Bond University.

Wiese said Ymir was intended to be a sensory experience and to “put viewers on the edge of a dreamlike state”.

“It is an intimate, prying exploration of the self,” she said.

Ymir is an amalgamation of genres, with elements of horror, fantasy, surrealism and film noir.

“I was brought up on fantasy (with) the likes of Barbie Fairytopia and The Never Ending Story (which) fuelled my daydreams for many years,” Wiese said.

Founded in 1995, BUFTA has grown into one of the best-respected film contests in the southern hemisphere.

The talented young filmmaker said she was honoured to be part of the awards and would pursue a career in filmmaking.

“BUFTA is an incredible opportunity to put yourself out there. I didn’t think people outside of my teachers and family would ever watch Ymir,” Wiese said.

“I feel as though I got to test the waters, feel out how people react to the way I think, and I’ll definitely carry those observations with me into my career.”