Just in time for Halloween, Sushi Noh, the AFTRS MA short film made by writer-director Jayden Rathsam Hüa, has been announced today as the Vimeo Staff Pick and also launches today on the YouTube channel Short of the Week.
Created by Vimeo Curation, Vimeo Staff Pick, which has 1.4 million subscribers, features the best short films on the internet, handpicked by Vimeo staff.
While Short of the Week, with an audience of millions, showcases more than 2,000 short films across every genre from 50+ countries.
Jayden Rathsam Hüa completed Sushi Noh while studying for the Master of Arts Screen: Producing at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in 2020. He also produced the film alongside Philippa Silva. “I’m really excited about the film’s selection by Vimeo and Short of the Week. The shorts we made at AFTRS were resourced and realised beyond what I was capable of prior to being a part of the program – they’ve been instrumental for communicating my creative voice to collaborators in the industry,” says Hüa, who was recently announced as one of the recipients of Screen NSW’s Short to Feature Fast-Track Initiative.
Projects realised as part of the Master of Arts Screen are collaborations across the School. Fellow AFTRS students who collaborated on the film include cinematographer Sam Steinle (MAS Cinematography, 2020), production designer Calum Wilson Austin (MAS Production Design, 2020), editor Gus O’Brien Cavanough (BA Screen: Production, 2019), composer Scott Majidi (MAS Music, 2020) and sound designers Sean Doyle (MAS Sound, 2020) and Sam Grimshaw (MAS Sound, 2020).
After its world premiere at Encounters Film Festival in the UK, Sushi Noh has screened at more than 30 events around the world, including international film festivals in Seattle, Atlanta, Palm Springs and Prague. In Australia, it screened at both the Sydney and Melbourne international film festivals and won Best Screenplay at Flickerfest International Short Film Festival.
Another student film, Mud Crab, has been nominated in the Best Short Film category in the upcoming AACTA Awards. “AFTRS training is hands-on, collaborative and delivered by industry practitioners who focus on storytelling and craft excellence, resulting in student work that holds its own alongside the best Australian short films,” says Lyn Norfor, Director, Production and Technology.
Mud Crab was written and directed by David Robinson-Smith (MAS Directing, 2020/2021), produced by Adam Daniel (MAS Screenwriting, 2020) and Adam Finney (MAS Documentary, 2020), with cinematographer Jaclyn Paterson (Diploma in Grading, 2017), production designers Sharna Graham and Calum Wilson Austin (MAS Production Design, 2020), editor James Taylor (MAS Editing, 2020), composer James Mountain (MAS Music, 2020) and sound designer Nathan Turnbull (MAS Sound, 2020).
Mud Crab had its world premiere at Melbourne International Film Festival, followed by screenings around the world. It won Best Direction in a Student Film at the Australian Directors Guild Awards 2022 and won the 2022 CILECT Asia Pacific Prize for Best Film (Fiction), honouring the best student films in the region. At next month’s APRA Awards the film has been nominated for Best Music for a Short Film.
Mud Crab will also screen in next month’s INTERFILM 39th International Short Film Festival Berlin and FILMSCHOOL FEST in Munich.
2023 has seen remarkable success for AFTRS’ student films with numerous festival selections both in Australia and overseas. Upcoming selections include:
- The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival where Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge will have its World Premiere (director Hattie Archibald – Master of Arts Screen: Directing, 2018; screenwriter of adaptation Jacob Melamed – Master of Arts Screen: Screenwriting, 2022; producer: Caleb Irwin Master of Arts Screen: Producing, 2022);
- ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, Hawai’i International Film Festival and Adelaide Film Festival screened To Be Silent this last week following its world premiere at Sydney Film Festival this year, (writer/director: Tace Stevens, Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, 2021; producer: Skye Leon, Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, 2021);
- DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, where Enemy Alien will screen (writer/director Gabriel Murphy – Master of Arts Screen: Documentary 2021; producer Andrew McMartin – Master of Arts Screen: Producing, 2021);
- Antipodes International Film Festival, in Saint-Tropez, France, Gorgo had its world premiere (director Veniamin Gialouris, Master of Arts Screen: Directing, 2021; writer Danielle Stamoulos Master of Arts Screen: Screenwriting, 2021; producer; Katie Amos (Graduate Diploma: Producing 2012);
- At last week’s Adelaide Film Festival Call It Anything also had its world premiere (writer/director/producer Melvin Kwong, Master of Arts Screen: Documentary, 2022, original music: Nodira Islam, Master of Arts Screen: Music, 2022).
- Aesthetica Film Festival, UK, Bottleneck will have its world premiere in November (director: Tatjana Hamilton Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, 2021, writer/producer: Benjamin Menday, Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, 2021).
Throughout 2023, its 50th anniversary year, AFTRS has screened a program of restored alumni short films at film festivals and events in Australia and London – a source of inspiration for current and future students. The program – which includes student films by Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce, Jane Campion and Ivan Sen – is available to watch on ABC iView from November 1.
AFTRS CEO, Dr Nell Greenwood, said: “Thanks to the ongoing support of government and industry, AFTRS is looking forward to another 50 years of extraordinary shorts that push the bounds of cinematic excellence. Key to this is access and ensuring AFTRS’ doors are wide open to the brightest talent across Australia. That way we can continue to support films like Pasifika Drift that had its world premiere at SXSW Sydney before engaging with global audiences at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival and Toronto’s ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.”
MORE INFORMATION – AFTRS 50TH: Alumni Short Films to screen on ABC iview from November 1:
One Hundred A Day – Gillian Armstrong
Set in a 1930s shoe factory in Sydney, a young girl continues to work at her machine after a visit to a backyard abortionist.
Bulls – Chris Noonan
The story of young girl’s isolation living on a remote dairy farm in the late 1930s.
Caravan Park – Phillip Noyce
When their car breaks down on the way to Queensland, a family is forced to take up residence at a caravan park while the father tries to earn enough money to get the car repaired.
Peel – Jane Campion
Winner of the 1986 Cannes Palme d’Or for Best Short Film – making Campion the first woman and only New Zealander to ever achieve the honour – her first film school project was inspired by her childhood and is vividly portrayed by a real family of rambunctious redheads.
The Drover’s Wife – Sue Brooks
The Australian myth of Russell Drysdale’s painting The Drover’s Wife, retold from a different perspective.
Mr Ikegami’s Flight – Robert Connolly
Mr Ikegami is in Sydney on business. Back in Tokyo, his wife Seisuko is expecting their first child. A tale of divided loyalties.
Warm Strangers – Ivan Sen
The last moments in the life of Jess, a young Aboriginal man. Fatally wounded, he attempts to reunite with his father whom he has not seen for 15 years.
Joy – Cate Shortland
Thursday night. Late night shopping. Joy wants to have fun.
The Third Note – Catriona McKenzie
A blind woman and her neighbour discover a common bond after battling each other with sound.