Director Jason van Genderen was joined by the film's producer/co-writer Shane Emmett , pictured, as well as composer John Roy as they accepted the award in front of industry heavyweights such as Baz Luhrmann and Sam Worthington on Wednesday night

In a first for the awards, Mankind is no Island a 3.5 minute flick about homelessness walked away with the IF Best Short Documentary Award.

It was an incredible achievement considering the film was filmed on a standard mobile phone and cost $60 to make.

"We are completely in awe," the film's director, van Genderen, said.

Commonly referred to as the people's choice, the IF awards are largely determined by public votes.

Van Genderen and Emmett, who is the brother of the late TV star Belinda, as well as Roy, are working on a new TV series titled Design Crimes.

It looks at branding and advertising as practised in the real world.

- The Herald.