We’re excited that the short film ‘Never Lost’ about this year’s Timor-Leste Field Class – an annual study tour organised by Haburas Foundation in conjunction with the Geography program at The University of Melbourne – was one of three films shortlisted for the inaugural 2023 Timor-Leste Tourism Short Film Awards.

Here is the byline for the short film:

Since 2015, Haburas Foundation have partnered with the University of Melbourne’s Geography program to run life-changing study tours of Timor-Leste. In this film, join the 2023 class as they embark on an awe-inspiring journey across mountains and sea.

The film features music by Haburas’ very own Reynato de Oliveira, including an original song ‘Never Lost’, written by Reynato for students at the end of the two week trip held in July 2023. It features community tourism sites Estevão Homestay in Beloi; Mario’s Place in Adara; and Knua Hakmatek in Maubisse.

The film was screened at the “Explore the Undiscovered” Tourism Short Film Festival on Wednesday September 27, 2023 at Fundação Oriente, marking World Tourism Day. The event was proudly supported by Fundação Oriente, The Asia Foundation in Timor-Leste and the New Zealand Embassy, and featured a curated collection of films by Timorese filmmakers, alongside the three short-listed films selected from a competition open worldwide. Pictures from the event below, gratefully shared by the organisers.

We extend our thanks to all the students, and the academic teaching staff Lisa Palmer, Susanna Barnes, Alex Cullen and Vickie Zhang. The film was made with support from the Australian Government New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant.