NFTS Student Film I Want to Live Wins Silver Student Academy Award at TIFF
The National Film & Television School (NFTS) is celebrating after student-made science documentary I Want To Live was awarded the Silver Student Academy Award for Documentary at a special ceremony held during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Director and NFTS graduate Jason Elliot with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer
Graduate Director Jason Elliot received the award at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto on Monday 14 September as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the Gold, Silver and Bronze placements for the 53rd Student Academy Awards.
This year’s competition attracted 2,972 entries from 894 college and universities worldwide, with Jason’s films one of just three selected to receive an award in the Documentary category.
The ceremony marked the first time the Student Academy Awards have been held at TIFF, with the Academy taking the event to Toronto as part of its drive to connect emerging filmmakers with its increasingly international membership and the wider global film community.
Jason made I Want to Live as his graduation project on the NFTS Directing and Producing Science and Natural History MFA.
The moving documentary follows Mallory Smith, a 25 year-old living with cystic fibrosis, whose life has been plagued by bacterial lung infections, as increasingly the antibiotics used to treat them stop working.
Against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, Mallory and pharmacologist Professor Chris Shaw explore the urgent search for alternative treatments, from the antibiotic potential of Ecuadorian frogs to phage therapy.
NFTS alumni crew L-R; Jason's partner Mia, Composers Aizhana Nurkenova and Katrina Rose, Director Jason Elliot and Colourist Scott Harrison
Speaking when I Want to Live was first named among this year’s Student Academy Award winners, Jason said: “Out of 2,972 entries from 894 colleges and universities, to be a winner in this year's Student Academy Awards is an honour and a testament to each and every person involved in this story. Right from conception to completion, working with such a brilliant mix of passionate people has been an unforgettable experience, fighting for change in the world of medicine and keeping the fires of Mallory Smith's life burning bright.”
Peter Leonard, Head of the NFTS Science and Natural History MFA said: "We're incredibly proud of Jason and the whole team behind I Want to Live. It's a powerful and deeply moving film that shows how science and natural history filmmaking can bring urgent global issues to life through compelling human stories. For aspiring filmmakers who want to tell stories that inform, inspire and make a difference, the NFTS is an incredible place to develop the skills, confidence and creative voice to do just that."
Jason and members of his fellow NFTS graduate crew joined this year’s Student Academy Award winners in Toronto for a five-day programme designed to immerse the emerging filmmakers in the international film industry. Alongside attending TIFF, the students visited TIFF: The Market, took part in a studio tour and industry talks and attended education panels with Academy members, Oscar winners, executives and other industry leaders.
I Want To Live now joins the ranks of past NFTS Student Academy Award winners including Mum’s Spaghetti (Best Animation 2023) and November 1st (Narrative 2019), and will be eligible for the 99th Oscars in the Documentary Short Film category.
- Meet the I Want To Live Crew
Director/Producer/Camera Jason Elliott
Additional Camera Neeve O’Flynn Mundin
Production Manager Sam Buckler
Production Coordinator Jeanet Froidurot
Sound Designers/Dubbing Mixers Vicente Molder and Sandro Popkhadze
Composers Aizhana Nurkenova and Katrina Rose
Motion Graphics and Titles Designer Joe Stratford
Colourist/Online Editor Scott Harrison