Twenty year old Annerley local, Ally Burnham, has beaten hundreds of aspiring film-makers and actors to be one of just 10 young Australians to participate in ‘The Shoot’ a short film initiative by Samsung Electronics Australia.

Ally will fly to Sydney for a six-day workshop with one of Australia’s leading creative and performing arts schools, the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), where she will also receive mentoring from internationally acclaimed Australian director, Baz Luhrmann. The short film created by Ally and the other winners will premiere at a prestigious event hosted at the Sydney Opera House as part of the iconic landmark’s 40th Anniversary celebrations on October 24.

Ally was selected from more than 700 entries as the writer for The Shoot. Ally has always wanted to be a storyteller, she has dreamt of being a screenwriter since she was 14 years old, growing up in the country town of Murwillumbah. Her writing is inspired by life experiences and she is looking forward to learn from the best in the filmmaking industry during the workshop with NIDA.

“I am elated to be a part of The Shoot. This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m very excited,” Ally said. “I am absolutely humbled that Samsung and NIDA thought I was worthy enough to be the screenwriter for their short film, a role I am very excited to take on.”

“Samsung is excited to work with Ally and we’re proud to be able to help showcase her talent as a screenwriter in The Shoot,” said Arno Lenior, Marketing Director, Samsung.

“It is an honour for Samsung to support young Australians through initiatives like The Shoot, allowing them to work with our passion brand ambassador Baz Luhrmann and use to our latest technology while creating a short film at NIDA. I’m thrilled that we can give young Aussies the chance to share their passion and talent with the country while learning from the best in the business to help them on their own creative path,” said Lenior.

Along with nine other winners, Ally will receive:
·           A master-class with Baz Luhrmann;
·           Six day intensive film-making course at NIDA;
·           A VIP ticket to the blue carpet premiere of their short film at Sydney Opera House’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, which will be attended by Baz Luhrmann and other VIPs; and
·            Samsung Creative Communications pack, including the new Samsung GALAXY Note 3* and Samsung GALAXY Gear*.

About the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s national education and training institution for the dramatic arts, providing elite training in a range of disciplines, including acting, costume, design, directing, music theatre, playwriting, production, properties and staging through its undergraduate and graduate programs, and offering training across Australia for children, young people and adults through its public courses. NIDA students gain an unrivalled foundation in their chosen fields and graduates become leaders and innovators within the arts and entertainment industries. To learn more about NIDA, visit www.nida.edu.au