By Lia Bichel
winning films submitted in competitions overseas. 51008 Picture: Stewart Chambers
THE Academy Awards may be a distant reality for a group of young filmmakers at Dandenong High School.
Year 11 and 12 media studies students won three awards in the Bayside Film Festival in July.
Their work will now be submitted to festivals across the globe, including London, Barcelona, Paris and the United States.
Dandenong High School principal Martin Culkin said 10 students worked for a number of months on three documentaries, which depicted how the media represented refugees, how a man overcame homelessness and technology’s influences.
“We were excited to be the first school in the history of the competition to win three awards,” he said.
“Two films won achievement awards while the film titled Peter’s Story won first prize.”
Students Yasamine, Audrey, Bing and Qambar, who filmed the story of how a young man was able to change his life from homelessness to success, received a free course in Film and Television at Open Channel.
“Never in my dreams, did I think something like this would happen,” Yasamine said.
“We were lucky he was willing to speak to us and we were lucky to have the opportunity to tell his story.”
Bing said the purpose of the film was to inspire the other students – and Qambar agreed.
“He (young man) overcame so much difficulty and has such a great personality today,” he said.
“He’s amazing.”
Student Ghazal also received recognition for her groups film, which shows how modern technology has influenced everyday life.
“We did a humorous mocumentary in the film,” she said.
“It had a message for viewers as well. It questioned whether we have become too dependent on technology.”
Mr Culkin also congratulated other participants Candy, Ali and Maisum, who did the school and their teachers proud.
