The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarship program. The scholarships provide financial and practical support to help students be able to access AFTRS’ world-leading audio and screen education.
The scholarship program provides opportunities for emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds across Australia to participate in AFTRS’ programs including the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting.
The Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship has been awarded to Madeleine Adams who, as part of her Graduate Diploma, 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 broadcasting.
The CRA Regional Radio Scholarship recipient is Michael Cross who is from Illawarra on the NSW South Coast.
The recipient of the Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship is Felicity Weaver.
The First Nations Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust were awarded in 2026 to Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting student Micah Kickett, Master of Arts Screen, Directing student Sasha Parlett, and Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production student Pablo Wild.
Other recipients include the HOYTS Group First Nations Scholarship to Jai (surname withheld), the two annual Women in Cinematography Scholarships, sponsored by SONY to Jenna Coghill and Serafina Paletto, the Onbass Giant Steps Scholarship to First Nations student Georgia Williams, the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship to Esperance Nyiramugisha, the Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship to Maria Kilogiri, the Alumni & Industry Fund Scholarship to Liam D’Silva and the AFTRS Craft Excellence Scholarship recipient is cinematographer Amrita Sur.
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.
Pictured 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. Image supplied