The Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC) announced today that record number of films have been submitted by schools from around the country for the annual TFL Kula Film Awards. FAVC's Manager Marketing & Public Relations, Florence Swamy said, "18 films have been  received for consideration for the 2009 TFL Kula Film Awards." The Awards, sponsored by TFL since its inception, is now into its fourth year.

Mrs. Swamy added that from the total number of schools taking part on the competition, 6 schools are from the Eastern Division, 10 from the West and 2 from the North. For the first time, entry has been received from Niakavaki Secondary School in Bua.

Entries have been received from the following schools:

School                                                                                                                           Film

1. Cuvu College, Sigatoka                                                                                The Enigma
2. Dudley High School, Suva                                                                            Trouble.Com
3. Fiji LDS College, Suva                                                                                  Survivor
4. Khalsa College, Ba                                                                                       Guruji
5. Labasa Sangam College, Labasa                                                            Shattered Dreams
6. Nadi SKM College, Nadi                                                                              Tune of The Rich
7. Nadroga Arya College, Sigatoka                                                                Road Not Easy
8. Nadi Christian Community School, Nadi                                                 Temptation
9. Natabua High School, Lautoka                                                                  Jaded
10. Sigatoka Valley High School, Sigatoka                                                     Living The Hard Way
11. Sila Central High School, Nausori                                                             Devil Vs Evil
12. St. Vincent College, Tailevu                                                                         Struggle for Educatuin
13. Suva Grammar School, Suva                                                                      Where's my mumy?
14. Swami Vivekananda College,Nadi                                                            I Am Because of you
15. Tailevu North College, Tailevu                                                                    Realizing YOur Drama
16. Tilak High School, Lautoka                                                                         Bridges of hope: Giving a Second Chance
17. Xavier College, Ba                                                                                        Untold stories of drugs
18. Naikavaki Secondary School, Bua                                                             Peer Pressure

Commenting on the entries, Ms. Swamy said that the FAVC is very pleased with the quality of the entries received this year. The entries, Ms. Swamy added, reflected the awareness that youths had of the issues affecting them. The films she said were an outlet for them to voice their opinions on some very topical issues. Also, the manner in which these views were articulated and presented through the short films showed the ability of our youths to channel their views through creatuve media. All these, Ms. Swamy said augurs well for the future development of the film industry in Fiji, as it still is, to a large extent, dependant on the availability of creative talents locally.

Ms. Swamy stressed that the quality of the films received were a direct reflection of the high caliber of training provided to all participants by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). All students taking part in the film competition attended free workshops on film production, coordinated by the FAVC and conducted by SPC.

The winners will be announced at an Awards Night on July 4th, 2009 at the Tattersals Leisure Center. The main Award is the 2009 TFL Kula Best Film. Other categories in which prizes will be awarded are the Best Actor, the Best Actress, the Best Director, Best Script, Best Original Music and the TFL Most Popular Film.

This year Air Pacific is sponsoring the Best Director, Best Script and Best Original Music categories and will be providing a round trip tickets to the winners to their destinations in Australia and New Zealand.

All film entries from schools will premiere on Sunday June 28th from 4pm-5:30pm on Fiji One. The entire block will be repeated on Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th, Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd July from 3.30pm - 5pm on Fiji 1. Fiji TV will also profile the schools and do some behind the scenes interview with cast, crew and teachers to run as "Get-Set" Specials.

The public will also have the opportunity to view and vote for their favorite film on http://www.tflkulafilmawards.com.fj as well as calling or texting 1221.

Ms. Swamy said that, "The FAVC acknowledges with deep appreciation the continued sponsorship provided by TFL which has enabled us to embark on this ambitious project," adding that TFL is an important partner in this exciting project assisting the development of our young people. She also acknowledged the support of Air Pacific, SPR, Williams & Gosling and Vodafone who are providing prizes.

Tickets for the Awards Night on Saturday July 4th are available from the FAVC for $5 each. Tickets which include the post-Awards reception cost $20 only.

For further information, please contact Florence Swamy at the FAVC on 330 6662/992 6665.

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