In Summary

Swinburne Film and Television has been officially recognised as one of the world’s top film schools.

Following a highly successful year on the world stage, the school has now been granted full membership of the prestigious International Association of Film and Television Schools also known as Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinema et de Television or CILECT.

CILECT, founded in 1955, is the peak international body serving over 100 film schools worldwide.

Swinburne was the only institution in the Asia Pacific region admitted in the current round of selections.

The membership, announced as part of CILECT’s recent congress in California, followed a rigorous selection process involving a detailed application followed by a full audit of Swinburne’s facilities and an examination of the culture and values of the school.

Department of Film and Animation Chair James Verdon represented Swinburne Film and Television at the CILECT congress along with Discipline Leader for Film and Television Jill Holt.

“This peer review is hard won and a significant confirmation of the consistent quality of Swinburne Film and Television’s creative and technical screen production work.  It endorses our students and staff and, more broadly, Swinburne as a leader in a truly global forum,” Dr Verdon said.

One of the key benefits of Swinburne’s admission to CILECT is that it will enable greater international collaboration including opportunities for staff and student exchanges as well as masterclasses and study tours.

“We can now begin planning projects with other CILECT members, both in the Asia-Pacific region and other countries,” Dr Verdon said. 

The CILECT membership caps off a highly successful year for Swinburne Film and Television students who have won international awards for their films at this years’ Worldfest Houston and the Accolade Competition (USA).

Described by former Prime Minister Paul Keating as “a small institution with a large influence”, Swinburne’s Film and Television alumni include multi award winning director Gillian Armstrong who has directed more than 25 films including My Brilliant Career and Little Women and Richard Lowenstein who was the driving force behind 80s cult film Dogs In Space and a number of videos for supergroups U2 and INXS.

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