In Summary

  • Swinburne has seen success at the California Film Awards
  • The Great Forrest was awarded for Best Environmental Film
  • Six more Swinburne films were awarded in multiple categories 

Swinburne film and television students have been recognised by the California Film Awards across a range of categories.

The Great Forest, a natural history short documentary shot in Victoria’s Toolangi State Forest directed by Swinburne student Marli Lopez-Hope and produced by Stephanie Westwood, was awarded Best Environmental Film.

A still from The Great Forrest film.

Six more Swinburne films were also recognised, including:

  • St Elmo for a Diamond Award in the Foreign Film Competition
  • Somniloquy for a Diamond Award in the Foreign Film Competition
  • 13 Days to Adelaide for a Diamond Award in the Student Film Competition
  • Top Dogs for a Diamond Award in the Foreign Film Competition
  • The Flower Girl for a Gold Award in the Foreign Film Competition
  • Hunter for a Silver Award in the Student Film Competition

A still from Top Dogs film

“The outstanding success of the Swinburne students demonstrates the professional and practical nature of the Bachelor of Film & Television at Swinburne,” Lecturer of Film and Television Jeffrey Bird says. 

“It's always great to see our students do well on the international stage. It's a validation of their hard work, dedication and creativity.” 

A still from St Elmo film.

The California Film Awards recognise and celebrate important world cinema that represents the forefront of aesthetic, critical and entertainment standards in contemporary independent filmmaking and screenwriting. 

Partnering with notable film industry companies, film educators, directors, producers, and writers, the California Film Awards provides a forum for talented filmmakers to be recognized for their work, creativity, and achievements.