The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced that the 2025 recipient of the AFTRS Alumni & Industry Scholarship is emerging director Ricky Townsend.
Currently studying the AFTRS Master of Arts: Screen in Directing, Ricky is a filmmaker from Ōtautahi, New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Film from Ilam School of Fine Arts and a background in theatre. The scholarship was presented by AFTRS alumn and cinematographer Denson Baker, who is also a member of the AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group.
“Being a New Zealand student, the Alumni & Industry Scholarship has helped make it possible to start my studies in Australia in such a great school with brilliant people and creatives. I am very thankful for the opportunity the scholarship has given me and my time at AFTRS has shown how worthwhile it is,” Ricky said. “I believe, as an autistic filmmaker, in championing a diversity of thinking as it will reveal to us new stories and new realms of storytelling. I aspire to explore cinema that can delve into new ways of thinking and platform films that show neurodiverse perspectives and experiences.”
Exploring storytelling through the lens of neurodivergent voices is central to Ricky’s creative practice. Ricky’s short film Wilbert Wire is an exploration of neurodivergent voices and a “reclaiming of autistic tropes” an important part of Ricky’s process as an artist and storyteller.
His recent independent feature The Bostrom Scenario has been screening in genre festivals around the world.
Ricky joins 2024 recipient screenwriter Sarah Chahine, both recognised for their creative excellence.
Now in its second year, the Alumni & Industry Scholarship Fund was established by the AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group to award an annual scholarship in the Master of Arts Screen program with the aim of expanding and enriching the School’s community and elevating innovative storytellers and diverse voices. The Scholarship Fund is made possible through generous donations from AFTRS alumni and the wider screen and broadcast industry. Donors include Christie Digital, Monica Davidson, Rachael Weiss, Robbie Miles and Unjoo Moon.
Monica Davidson, Chair of AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group, said: “I am so proud to be the Chair of the AAG. We get to work together to service the vision of our alumni, but also bolster the next generation and provide opportunities to screen practitioners who want to study at this amazing place. This is a very personal experience for me, because I didn’t have the means to study here when I was a young Mum. I was lucky enough to study here later in life, but I know first-hand that scholarships like the Alumni & Industry Scholarship one can literally change lives.”
“All the money donated directly benefits a future student who would not otherwise get to have the opportunity and benefits that we all have had. I for one am truly grateful for the doors that AFTRS opened for me, and I am committed to making sure I use that privilege to open doors for others. I hope you will join me and do the same.”
Donations to the AFTRS Alumni & Industry Scholarship Fund are tax deductible. The AFTRS alumni community has over 5000 practitioners, advocates, and supporters who are invested in the future of Australian stories. More details about donating can be found here.
