One World Student Film Bursaries

Feedback and Progress

 Read below for comments from some of the participants in the bursary scheme, and to find out where they are now. You can also scroll down to read comments from film tutors.

 

Poster for 'I for India'Sandhya Suri, 2000 film student, National Film and Television School

"Having a good short film was like having a calling card, but better. If you have a good short, people become convinced about your filmmaking skills, and it can also give producers a strong idea about a longer project that you want to do."

Sandhya's film, 'Safar', was eventually developed into the feature-length documentary 'I for India' (left), which was released in 2007 to widespread critical acclaim.

Read Sandhya's account of how, with the help of the bursary scheme, her short film went from an idea to a major documentary. Also, see the 'I for India' homepage.


Maria Eduarda Andrade, 2007 film student, Goldsmiths College

Still from 'Just like mom'"What can I say about OWBT? It's such an important and valuable recognition of what young filmmakers can do. It really does help you to persist in a project of shooting in a developing country when you are still at university with no budget to make a documentary. It was essential for me and I'm really grateful for OWBT support."

Maria's film 'Just like mom' won the 2007 RTS Student Television Award for the best postgraduate factual film - read more here. You can also watch a clip from her film here.


Purnima Raghunath, 2007 film student, Brunel University

"I wouldnt have made my film, 'The City of Widows', without the bursary and the support provided by OWBT. The bursary not only provided monetary help but also professional advice from the consultants and also opportunities for networking."

'The City of Widows' won the 2008 short film competition organised by the Satyajit Ray Foundation - read more here. You can also watch a clip from her film here.


Cleopatra Mukula, 2006 film student, Brunel University

"To have the backing and support from such dedicated people and more importantly to have someone believe in my work gave me so much confidence. I will always be grateful for the support, publicity and exposure the bursary has given me and my humble film."

Cleopatra has since worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust, a leading HIV/AIDS charity in the UK, on films concerning sexual health among black communities in London; and she has produced a news report for Channel 4 on the Kenyan elections in 2007 - watch it here.


Ganesh Gaikwad, 2005 film student, Film & Television Institute of India

"It was something like a wild dream coming true, just like a fairy tale. Such programs not only help the individuals to excel in their respective field of work but also broaden the scope of human connections."

Ganesh's film, 'Voices Over the Ocean', won the the Award for the Best Direction in a Non-Feature at the Indian National Film Awards, the most prestigious and oldest of India’s award ceremonies.



Levi Saville, 2007 film student, The South African School Of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA)

"Getting this bursary from OWBT was such an amazing experience. Coming to London truly opened my eyes to another side of the world that I never really knew anything about. In a nutshell: this experience allowed me to grow at a personal and professional level."

 

 

Film School Tutors:
 

Dick Fontaine, Director of Documentaries, National Film & Television School

"One World's contribution to my students' budgets has allowed them to make award-winning films in developing countries they could never have made otherwise which have had a profoundly beneficial effect on their future careers. Totally invaluable."

 

Dr Erik Knudsen, Programme Director, Television Documentary Production, University of Salford

"This opportunity to realise a project in the developing world has proved to be a very valuable one; one which has allowed these emerging talents to gain an important launch pad in their ongoing creative development and careers."

 

Gerda Dullaart, Principal, The South African School Of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), South Africa

"Our student, Levi, came back from shooting a documentary in London a confident and tall young man, with enriched visual and cultural vocabulary.  He now has a clearer insight into his own role in society and his vision as a filmmaker.  Having to make his own way in a strange country broadened his vision, and yet sharpened his focus."

 

Nilopal Majumdar, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, India

"This bursary has been a wonderful opportunity for our student to work in an international environment with a great degree of freedom and commitment. This is the first time one of our students has been awarded with the bursary. This is a great opening for students, where they learn in a challenging atmosphere and are enriched through complex decision-making. The opportunity to work abroad in a multicultural environment is the key of this bursary, where real cultural exchange regenerates young minds with openness and attitude."