Brisbane, Queensland – 13–14 November 2026
Essential Screen Skills is proud to announce the nominees for the inaugural Essential Screen Skills (ESS) Awards, celebrating outstanding screen achievements from Queensland high school students in Years 10 – 12. The two‑day event features an immersive Industry Development Day followed by a red‑carpet Awards Ceremony recognising technical excellence across filmmaking including Direction, Performance, Animation, Sound, Editing, Production Design and Cinematography.
Essential Screen Skills Director, Laura Clelland celebrates this milestone; “We are excited to launch the Essential Screen Skills Awards, championing the next generation of talented filmmakers from across Queensland. In our inaugural year, we had over 100 submissions resulting in 22 Nominees from 14 High Schools across Cairns, Mackay, Gold Coast, Logan, Toowoomba and Brisbane for our Film Categories. Through our Screen and Media Gateway to Industry Schools project we launched our Student of the Year and School of the Year Awards. The ESS Awards bring together significant Screen Industry support reflected by the calibre of our sponsors through to our highly accomplished judges”.
The Awards Ceremony will be hosted at Events Cinemas, the official venue partner for the inaugural ESS Awards, providing an industry‑standard cinema experience for Students, Families, Educators and Screen Professionals. “Event Cinemas is proud to partner with Essential Screen Skills for the inaugural ESS Awards. There’s nothing quite like seeing your work on the big screen, and we’re thrilled to give Queensland’s young filmmakers that moment at Event Cinemas Brisbane City. Supporting the next generation of screen talent is something we care deeply about, and we can’t wait to celebrate their creativity, skill and storytelling with their families, educators and the wider industry.” Says Daniel McCabe, General Manager – Cinema Operations Australia.
A Celebration of Queensland’s Emerging Screen Talent
The ESS Awards mark a new milestone for Queensland’s screen education landscape, elevating young creatives and strengthening pathways into the state’s vibrant screen industry. Nominees will participate in exclusive workshops, mentoring sessions and industry networking as part of the ESS Industry Development Day before attending the Awards Ceremony.
Professor Damian Candusso, Head of QUT School of Creative Arts, highlighted the importance of industry‑connected learning during the Industry Development Day: “QUT is proud to support initiatives that empower the next generation of creative thinkers, storytellers, and innovators. Essential Screen Skills and the inaugural Essential Screen Skills Awards align strongly with QUT’s commitment to real-world learning and our shared vision of fostering creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship to shape the future of Queensland’s creative industries”.
2026 ESS AWARD NOMINEES
BEST FILM
Judged by Natasha Pizzica (Co‑Executive Producer), Jonathan Proby (Screen Queensland) and Craig Cauchi (Ludo Studio)
- Denis from Delaware by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Die Running by Lily Tyler, St Hilda’s School
- for now. by Zara Heath, Brisbane State High School
- Misanthropy by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Unfocused, Hocus Pocus by Ezriel Bisual, Mackay North State High School
BEST DIRECTION – Presented by SAE University College
Judged by Mairi Cameron (Director and Australian Directors Guild Queensland Chair), Michael O’Halloran (Director) and Kristina Chapman (Australian Teachers of Media Queensland Secretary)
SAE Brisbane Campus Manager, Michael Page, shared SAE’s commitment to emerging directors: “SAE University College is proud to support the Essential Screen Skills Awards and celebrate the next generation of screen talent. Giving emerging creatives opportunities to build their skills, gain industry experience and make valuable connections is a big part of what we do at SAE. We are excited to play a part in recognising Queensland’s emerging screen talent and supporting them as they take their next steps into the creative industries.”
Nominees:
- Billy Clark by Layla Thompson, Bentley Park College
- CUBE by Aaron Lu, Brisbane State High School
- GREED by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Misanthropy by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Monachopsis by Sofia Bizon, Brisbane State High School
BEST EDITING — Presented by Adobe
Judged by Derek Jones (Australian Screen Editors Queensland Chair), Charlotte Cutting (Editor) and Kelsey Hall (Australian Teachers of Media Queensland Co‑President)
“Adobe is proud to support the inaugural Essential Screen Skills Awards and celebrate Queensland’s next generation of screen storytellers. By recognising the creativity, craft and technical skills of emerging talent, we hope to help students build the confidence and connections to turn their passion into future opportunities in the screen industry.” Jerry Wong, Adobe APAC Education Team
Nominees:
- Denis from Delaware by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Fear of Feathers by Parker James Renshaw, Brisbane State High School
- for now. by Zara Heath, Brisbane State High School
- Saboteur by Honora Rowen‑Clarke, Varsity College Secondary School
- Requiem by Francisco Dutra, Brisbane State High School
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY — Presented by Videopro
Judged by Jake Koning ACS (Cinematographer), Miranda Porter (Director of Photography), Stewart Tyrrell (Filmmaker) and Kristina Chapman (Australian Teachers of Media Queensland Secretary)
Videopro shared their support for emerging cinematographers:
“Videopro is proud to partner with Canon to support the inaugural Essential Screen Skills Awards, celebrating the talent and creativity of Queensland’s emerging filmmakers. We’re excited to be part of an event that showcases the incredible work of high school film and media students across Queensland.” Nicky Douglas, Marketing Manager, Videopro
Nominees:
- Fear of Feathers by Parker James Renshaw, Brisbane State High School
- Misanthropy by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Monachopsis by Sofia Bizon, Brisbane State High School
- Requiem by Francisco Dutra, Brisbane State High School
- The Road Back by Aum Wihan Patel, Centenary State High School
BEST PERFORMANCE (By a High School Student)
Judged by Michelle Clancy CGA (Casting Director), Caitlin Hill (Agent), Belinda Gravel (Drama Queensland Vice President) and April James (Essential Screen Skills Advisory Board, Film Teacher)
Nominees:
- Die Running — Anna du Toit, directed by Lily Tyler, St Hilda’s School
- Her Dream — Adan Nguyen, directed by George Xie, Brisbane State High School
- Misanthropy — Shiminet Phu, directed by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Streamer — Kinsley Ward, directed by Kinsley Ward, St Benedict’s College
- Stupid Phobias — Bridie Dowling, directed by Caleb Nolan, Downlands College
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Judged by Matt Putland APDG (Production Designer), Jon Dowding (Production Designer) and Kelsey Hall (Australian Teachers of Media Queensland Co‑President)
Nominees:
- Appetite by Chelsea Rose Howard, Brisbane State High School
- for now. by Zara Heath, Brisbane State High School
- Greed by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- Overlooked by Allison Grace Gravel, St Hilda’s School Southport
- THE MAN WHO BURIED GOD by Lachlan Leith Hitchcock, Genesis Christian College
BEST SOUND
Judged by Tfer Newsome ASSG (Award‑winning Sound Editor, Australian Screen Sound Guild Queensland Chair), Dylan Barfield (Sound Designer) and Kelsey Hall (Australian Teachers of Media, Queensland Co‑President)
Nominees:
- Blank Tapes by Felix Copeman, Indooroopilly State High School
- for now. by Zara Heath, Brisbane State High School
- Misanthropy by Magenta Stafford, Brisbane State High School
- To Crap or not to Crap by Sofia Bizon, Brisbane State High School
- Unfocused, Hocus Pocus by Ezriel Bisual, Mackay North State High School
BEST ANIMATION
Judged by Lachlan Pendragon (Animator), Ricard Cusso (Animation Director Cosmic Dino), Samuel Leighton‑Dore (Co‑Director Sad Man Studio) and Kate Derrick (Ludo Studios Animator)
Nominees:
- Cracks by Keina Fox, Cavendish Road State High School
- Haunted House by Joseph TSG, Ripley Valley State Secondary College
- Just a Dream by Jade Gubb, Trinity Bay State High School
- Lovers Till Death by Isabella Rose Dale, Loganlea State High School
- Unfocused, Hocus Pocus by Ezriel Bisual, Mackay North State High School
SCREEN & MEDIA GATEWAY AWARD WINNERS
- Screen and Media Gateway Student of the Year: Charlotte Frelicot — Bremer State High School
Dr Sue Cake shared her reflections on the finalists: “The applicants demonstrated a deep passion for storytelling and a commitment to creating work that speaks to the human experience. We congratulate Charlotte on her well-deserved success and commend nominees for their creativity, generosity in working with others, and dedication to pursuing careers in the screen industry.”
- Screen and Media Gateway School of the Year: Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Moneth Montemayor, Project Manager of the Screen and Media Gateway to Industry Schools project, says “The judging panel had a difficult time deciding who should be awarded Screen and Media Gateway School of the Year. It was an incredibly competitive process and I was glad that I was not in the seat of the judges. The judges were impressed with Good Shepherd Lutheran College’s embracing the Screen and Media Gateway project across all aspects of the school from curriculum to extra-curricular opportunities”.
Congratulations to all of the nominees!
ESS Awards Films Screening: https://www.essentialscreenskills.com.au/event/essential-screen-skills-awards-screening/
ESS Awards Ceremony: https://www.essentialscreenskills.com.au/event/essential-screen-skills-awards/
ESS Awards: https://www.essentialscreenskills.com.au/the-essential-screen-skills-awards/
