Mentor: Carmel Travers, Essential Media and Entertainment

Hawanatu Bangura is an Afro-Australian writer, director and producer. Through the years Hawanatu has developed an impeccable eye for storytelling, which has excelled her filmmaking craft. Hawanatu has written and directed six short films in various genres including dance, experimental, drama, documentary, and animation. Her films have been screened both in Australia and internationally at film festivals including Legacy Film Festival (United Kingdom), Shaan-E-Awadh International Film Festival (India), Adelaide Kids Film Festival, African Film festival Australia and International Pan African Film Festival (Cannes). Her film Money Tree a short animation about a boy who wants to become rich by planting a stolen coin was nominated for best animation at Montreal International Black Film Festival (Canada).

Hawanatu’s films are driven by her values, so themes of social justice, empowerment, identity, peace, hope and wisdom are strong throughout her work. The stories in her films are universal, resonating with audiences far and wide. Hawanatu is passionate about using her films as a platform to raise consciousness about social issues, and giving a voice to the voiceless while empowering them to stand strong in society.