We are moving stories

“ I wanted to put audiences into the mind and experience of someone who was losing touch with their reality. This film was also specifically made for Tropfest - it’s such a valuable and rewarding platform for filmmakers to show their work, and such an exciting event to be a part of. I have a group of amazing filmmaker friends and we love to find any excuse to work together on projects, which for me, really is reason enough!”

“I want people to laugh and enjoy the journey of the film. There are so many negative things happening in our world today, politics and violence and displacement... I didn’t want to go there with this film. To me it’s important to come together as an audience for the shared experience of a good laugh, something that we will never get from watching the news.”

“Karina Banno (KB): I made this film simply to work with Tara and her amazing story. I was privileged enough to be brought on to a well oiled machine that was really just waiting for an actor’s and director’s touch. The story is rich with themes of grief, loss, strength and family. I identified with the reality of each of these so much it was a film that I HAD to make. Tara was always a Cinematographer that I admired so much and the effortless passion, technique and vulnerability that she brings to her work was so engaging. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to collaborate with her.”

“The idea came to me after overhearing a story about someone who attends house auctions early, trashes the area ensuring it looks like a run down non-desirable place to live and allowing his low bids win. From there, I was inspired about the type of person who be capable of thinking something like that up and I started looking into human behaviour and understanding what drives some people over others.”

“RAECHELLE : THE PARTY JOB does what comedies do best: it opens us up to a world not too dissimilar to our own, heightens it with humour, and then hits us straight in the heart with truth. The truth of THE PARTY JOB is that we are all in this together. It celebrates the lived reality that Australian’s, both silly and sincere, would absolutely-no worries-mate go out of their way to be there for a fellow struggler... even if the theme is a little off kilter.

KARINA : I also love the idea that it’s a solid 15 minute short that has a clear beginning, middle and end. That can be a struggle to achieve, but I feel like Raechelle’s film has delivered an experience for audiences that is fun, emotional and succinct.”

“The best feedback was in France. When I was living there, I met a lot of Sudanese and Afghani refugees and it was awesome to show them a song by young people living in Australia singing in Dinka (South Sudanese language) and Farsi (Afghani language). It instantly broke the ice and made everyone laugh and smile and ask lots of questions.”

“The young migrants who made this video are calling for all cultures living in Australia to be united and live in happiness and peace.

Their song, SAME DRUM delivers a strong message to other migrants about embracing life in Australia, while never forgetting about where you come from.”

“Djarliny is a cinematic window into traditional and contemporary Noongar culture and the lives of young people living in the West Australian Wheatbelt.

The Burdiya Mob have a strong connection to their culture and land and they want to share that with the world through their music.”

“This is an all-ages film, with no dialogue. It’s a fun adventure story with a whole bunch of heart. And a cute cat and some laughs along the way. It’s an easy watch. Turn the sound up loud though, the original music by American based composer Jesse Harlin is sensational.”

“We hope audiences gain understanding and emotional empathy for children and people who live on the streets, and how they experience and cope with exploitation. To gain an intimate understanding of how a child is exploited and how this unfolds, and the nature of people who commit the crime.

We also hope that people will perceive the dignity of these children, and the complexities of the struggle to gain control of their lives”

“KERRY: The idea behind INCOMING: Words of War started to form after I watched Peter Jackson’s First World War documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old. I remember fighting tears at the footage of soldiers in the trenches playing cards, reading, writing letters home or trying to sleep. At the same time, above them, the sounds of war, fighting and explosions continue. I was reminded of my time as a military wife and receiving letters from my husband away on deployment.”

“I knew I wanted to write a script that reflected military life, as it was a world I was a part of for over 15 years. I wanted to explore the friendships of military wives, the ‘wife of’ which is often how we were referred to. Life ‘behind the wire’ was literally crammed with amazing characters, from all walks of life, each with a story to tell. One thing that ties military wives is fear. Fear of death. And that’s what I wrote about. Sounds very dark, which it is, but Tanked also explores the exclusiveness of that lifestyle. Larger than life characters filled with warmth, laughter, love and family. Integral for survival. ”

“Real Tinder Convos takes real messages from Tinder and we say them in a date setting - to show how awkward it would be to say tinder messages in real life. And I made it for two reasons. 1. Because I thought it would be funny & awkward and 2. Men treat woman like whores on tinder.”

“I’d love it to have an impact on the way people communicate to each other on-line. This culture of on line trolls is so acceptable now and it’s terrible. Think before you troll, people.”

“What type of reception would you like this film to have?

That woman can direct comedy. The lack of woman in film is an issue - a real one and I think it’s ridiculous that we don’t get the same opportunities as men. It’s not 1945, after all. Women are just as, if not, more talented than men and it’s about time we got a fair go. I feel like the dialogue is opening up a bit more around woman in film and that’s a great thing. It’s baby steps, but at least steps are being made.”

“HOLLY: Catherine and I worked on the script for around 6 months, doing different drafts. It’s tricky when you’re creating an alternative world, like in The Hunt. There’s a lot to set up.”

“On the rivers of remote colonial Victoria, 19th century European settlers depended on Aboriginal navigators and canoe builders to transport goods, mail, stock and people. This simple, fascinating fact of history was buried in the whitewash of Federation in the early 20th century and has been pretty much forgotten.”

“This is about grief and death and the way societies cope with mass disaster. This is universal and also very personal. It is also a story about everyday heroes - the ones who step up in the face of humanitarian crisis. It is a lovely story.”

“If you love Melbourne you will love exploring Melbourne’s rich past in this film. The archival footage, old photographs and soundscape takes you on a journey you won’t forget.”