by FilmInk Staff
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced the latest recipients of its 2026 scholarship program. The scholarships provide vital financial and practical support to help students from all walks of life access AFTRS’ world-leading screen and audio education.
The scholarship program provides opportunities for emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds across Australia to participate in AFTRS’ Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, Master of Arts Screen, and Master of Arts Screen: Business programs.
Delivered in partnership with the AFTRS community, industry leaders, and alumni, these scholarships prioritise access and equity, and are a powerful investment in the future of Australian storytelling.
Offered every three years, the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship has been awarded in 2026 to Esperance Nyiramugisha. This prestigious award, now in its third iteration and valued at more than $80,000 for 2026, is open to applicants from a refugee background pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production at AFTRS.
Esperance, 19, who was born in a Rwandan refugee camp to Congolese parents and came to Australia as a child, saidreceiving this scholarship was “such an honour”.
“It gives me the chance to study and tap into my creativity without the worry of financial constraint,” she said. “I’m so grateful to be the recipient of this scholarship and I’m excited to see what opportunities it opens up for me.”
The Onbass Giant Steps Scholarship – made possible through the generous support of the Gentle Giant Media Group and the Onbass Foundation – returns for its sixth year in 2026 and has been awarded to First Nations student Georgia Williams (Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production), who has relocated to Sydney from Cowra, NSW.
The two annual Women in Cinematography Scholarships, sponsored by SONY, and the Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship are now in their fourth years. The recipients of the Women in Cinematography Scholarships in 2026 are Jenna Coghill and Serafina Paletto (both Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production). The recipient of the Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship is Felicity Weaver.
The First Nations Scholarships – supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust – provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and are awarded to one or more recipients each year based on creative excellence or equity. In 2026 the scholarships recognising creative excellence have been awarded to Master of Arts Screen, Directing student Sasha Parlett, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting student Micah Kickett, and Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production student Pablo Wild. The HOYTS Group First Nations Scholarship will provide living expenses in 2026 to Jai (surname withheld), who was also the recipient of 2025 Scholarship, to enable him to continue his studies in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production program.
The Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship recipient for 2026 is Maria Kilogiri (Master of Arts Screen: Business). This scholarship, established last year, seeks to empower outstanding female-identifying or gender-diverse applicants from across Australia who demonstrate remarkable leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit – and is made possible through the generous support of acclaimed television producer and journalist Anita Jacoby.
AFTRS Craft Excellence Scholarship supports female-identifying applicants who demonstrate excellence in craft in the disciplines of cinematography, sound, documentary and editing in the Master of Arts Screen program. This year’s recipient is cinematographer Amrita Sur.
Amrita said: “I am so honoured to receive the Craft Excellence Scholarship – this is truly life-changing. As a woman entering an incredibly challenging field like cinematography, having my work recognised through this scholarship has strengthened my determination to keep pushing creative boundaries. It means the world to know there are people who support emerging artists stepping into this space – who see what we stand for, and recognise our hard work, talent, and potential to grow as collaborators and storytellers.”
The Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship has been awarded to Madeleine Adams who, as part of her Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting studies, has had the opportunity to do a work placement at Sunshine coast radio stations MixFM and SeaFM.
The ARN Radio and Podcasting Scholarship recipient is Leisa Reichelt, who has made a late career switch from customer research to study her passion for broadcast. The CRA Regional Radio Scholarship recipient is Michael Cross, from Illawarra on the NSW South Coast.
As previously announced, Liam D’Silva (Master of Arts Screen, Directing) is the recipient of the Alumni & Industry Fund Scholarship.
Dr Nell Greenwood, CEO of AFTRS, said: “Our deepest thanks go to the companies and individuals who continue to support AFTRS year after year and whose generosity makes these scholarships possible. Scholarships are transformative: they open doors, relieve pressure and allow students to fully commit to learning their craft. Over time, we have seen how this support not only changes individual lives, but strengthens the entire screen sector by enabling new voices to enter, contribute and lead.”
More than 30 scholarships are offered at AFTRS each academic year.
IMAGE: L-R (top row): Amrita Sur, Esperence Nyiramugisha, Jai, Georgia Williams, Pablo Wild, Leisa Reichelt and Maria Kilogiri; (bottom row): Madeleine Adams, Micah Kickett, Felicity Weaver, Liam D’Silva, Sasha Parlett, Michael Cross, Jenna Coghill and Serafina Paletto.
