Director Ricky Townsend is the 2025 recipient of AFTRS Alumni and Industry Scholarships.
Townsend is from Otautahi, New Zealand and is currently studying a Masters degree in arts. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree (honors) in films at ILAM School of Fine Arts and has a theatrical background.
The director’s work explores storytelling through the lens of Neurodivergent’s voice. The short film Wilbert Wire is “Recovering the ratio of autism.” His independent feature Bostrom scenario is a screening for genre festivals.
The $25,000 scholarship was submitted to Townsend by a fellow Kiwi Denson Baker, a cinematography director and a member of the AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group.
“The New Zealand student Alumni and Industry Scholarships have made it possible to start my studies in Australia with some amazing people and creatives. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity the scholarship has given me and the time I have at AFTRS showed me how valuable it is,” Townsend said.
“As an autistic filmmaker, I aim to explore films that can delve into new ideas and platform films that show the perspectives and experiences of the ganglia, as I reveal new realms of new narratives and storytelling to us, so by defending diverse thinking, I aim to explore films that can delve into new ways of thinking and platform films that show the perspectives and experiences of the ganglia.”
The Alumni Association and Industry Scholarship Fund is now in its second year, along with first recipient screenwriter Sarah Chahine. Founded by the school’s Alumni Association Advisory Group, the scholarship covers living expenses, relocation to Sydney, research resources and other expenses. Donors include Christie Digital, Monica Davidson, Rachael Weiss, Robbie Miles and Unjoo Moon.
“I’m proud to be Chair of the AAG,” said Monica Davidson.
“We work together to serve the vision of our graduates, but we provide the opportunity to enhance the next generation and select practitioners who want to study in this incredible place. This is a very personal experience for me. I was lucky enough to be able to study here in my life, as I had no means of studying here as a young mother, but I know that I know that I know of scholarships like graduates and industrial scholarships.
“All the money donated will benefit future students who will not be able to obtain the opportunities and benefits that we all have otherwise. I am truly grateful for the door that AFTR has opened for me.
