Sacred Heart College student Thomas Corboy (Class of 2025), was announced last month as the winner of the Top Screen 2026 People’s Choice Award.
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s annual Top Screen program celebrates the creative achievements of outstanding VCE Media students. Just 15 films were selected from more than 350 nominations across Victoria.
People’s Choice Award recognises the film that received the highest number of audience votes across all Top Screen screenings.
“I hadn’t really thought about a chance to be in the running for People’s Choice until that moment, and I’m so glad my film managed to resonate with so many people. I can only hope I’ll be able to do the same again with any other projects in the future,” Thomas said.
To recognise the achievements of the selected students, VCAA and ACMI hosted a premiere screening of the Top Screen films on Tuesday, March 17. The event was a celebration of Victoria’s next generation of filmmakers. Seeing his film screened in ACMI’s theatre before a full audience was a well-deserved highlight, with the film receiving enthusiastic applause.
“The night of the ACMI launch was probably the highlight night of my year,” Thomas said.
“Since graduating, it felt like I’d blinked and suddenly the day had arrived, and the time of the launch came even faster.”
Thomas’ film, A Disagreement, explores the futility of conflict through an exaggerated dispute between two brothers over the last cookie in a cookie jar. Alongside the film itself, Thomas produced an exceptional production process journal, demonstrating both creativity and technical skill. Thomas’ brother Ben, made all of the music heard throughout the movie.
“I remember feeling more excited to see the others’ films than seeing my own again, more nervous than anything. I had not expected the crowd to be so big, but thankfully my nerves went away once all the jokes and gags in my film landed,” Thomas said.
“I was so unsure of whether the many pop culture references and ridiculous jokes would register with the audience, let alone whether I’d earn any laughs.
“I thought I’d get one or two here and there, but the audience reception and reactions were incredible.”
His work was one of only 15 films showcased during VCAA’s Season of Excellence at ACMI from March 17 to May 5.
Thomas, as well as runner up of the People’s Choice Award, Dari Justin, received passes to the Melbourne International Film Festival next month.