SHORT FILM CATEGORY
Alexandra Angus
Medusazoa Slumber
2025
Filmmaker Statement
During my sleep, specifically in between deep sleep and dreaming, I often feel a “drifting” sensation as if I’m floating in the ocean.
My aim for this project was to transform the jellyfish into a meditative symbol of dreams and sleep, mirroring the “drifting” sensation between the two states.
Bio
Alexandra Angus is a contemporary artist fuelled by a deep interest in science, particularly biology. Within abstract works, her conceptual explorations lie in the overlaps between art and science.
Her practice uses multiple mediums: film and 2D animation, sound design, printmaking, illustration, installation art, photography and sculpture.
Tom Brand
i will always love you
2025
Filmmaker Statement
this thing is an experiment made from cardboard and iphone. about what i think about when i think about ants. please watch it in a dark room if you can. and as big and as loud as you can.
Bio
tom brand. makes art. waiter at "lipari pizza rozelle", member of the band "doomslut", and the organisation "genderbility". loving partner of "connor chen".
Julia Brechtelsbauer
Longing
2025
Filmmaker Statement
Longing is an experimental short film about the feeling of constantly needing to wander. A fulfillment may be found for a second, but the journey is a never ending one.
Bio
My name is Julia Brechtelsbauer. I am 27 years old and from Germany, where I am currently pursuing a degree in TV Journalism and Documentary Film. During my semester abroad at the University of Sydney, I enrolled in classes within the Master’s program in Film and Screen Arts, including an editing class, in which this short film came to life.
Augusto Garcia
EDGAR
2024
Filmmaker Statement
What is it that we fear?
EDGAR underlying premise of loneliness and compassion for our Ghosts lurking in our darkness is a relevant message to a World consumed by the frenetic pursuit of earthly delights, capitalist goals and materialistic obsessions. Because life tragedies are inevitable and at some point, in our lives we will descend into our inner darkness, it is my hope that audiences can embrace the full spectrum of emotions, and like EDGAR, become friends with their inner Ghosts.
The story is shot on Super 8mm, a medium that stands out in a time when the digital image is becoming worthless. The mood of mystery and eeriness reflects the state of mind of a protagonist who is in a journey to visit his inner fears.
Writer, Director and Producer: Augusto Garcia
Cinematography: Carolina Izquierdo Duarte
Editor: Augusto Garcia
Sound Recordist: Dante Florez
Production Design: Lilly Curray-Billyard
Costume Design: Benedict Janeczko-Taylor
Hair and Make up: Lenny Irwin
Gaffer: Matt Roper
Grip: William Jordan
Special Effects: Chris Campbell
Sound Designer: John Hrsec
Foley Artist: Ross Page
Composer: Luna Y. Pan
Color Grading: Michael Easter
1st AD: Dario Salamone
3rd AD: Riley Mckenzie
On set PA: Nikita Dunovitz-Ferrier
Cast
EDGAR: Toby Blome
ELSA: Lucy Carpenter
GHOST: Lisandro Garcia
Bio
Augusto Garcia born in San Juan, Argentina at the foot of the mighty Cordillera de los Andes. His life got a plot twist when his family moved to Australia where he found his passion to tell stories at 24 fps. His lingering roots of his Argentinean origins feeds his creative World, and his romantic and passionate sensibility always push his stories towards the challenges of understanding the human heart.
Kayra Hincal
Tapes From The Cellar
2025
Filmmaker Statement
Tapes From The Cellar is a surreal representation of an individual’s journey in discovering disturbing hidden realities regarding the world around them through a video game format. My work challenges audiences to partake in self-critical existential questioning embedded within intense conversations regarding fear, decay and destruction through Southern Gothic aesthetics.
Bio
Kayra Hincal is a 2nd year Media/Film student with a strong passion for cinema, art and culture. She manifests her passions into creative practice, always in the midst of working on a new film project. Her recent works have taken heavy inspiration from David Lynch and Jim Jarmusch.
Aleeza Joseph
Slow down and See
2025
Filmmaker Statement
Slow Down and See is a gentle call to pause, breathe, and notice the beauty in everyday moments. Through stillness and subtle imagery, the film invites viewers to rediscover the small, often unnoticed details around them—and to remember that life’s magic is found in the quiet, not the rush.
Written and Directed by Aleeza Joseph
Actors: Al Ohashi, Rubin Jose, Gifty Thomas, Joswin Rubin, Joshuva Rubin
Bio
I'm an undergraduate Social Work student with a passion for creative expression. I use short films and visual storytelling to explore themes of reflection, mindfulness, and everyday life. My work encourages viewers to slow down, notice the world around them, and find meaning in the small, quiet moments.
Charis Kee
Overcoming My Life
2024
Filmmaker Statement
A 3 minute story on how my past has shaped my present and future.
Bio
An amateur film-maker from Malaysia who enjoys learning about people's stories.
Fuyann Pang
fish
2025
Filmmaker Statement
The short film is on the first-person perspective and mainly tells the whole process of the character encountering a mermaid on the beach, catching her, taking her home, and finally ate her. I wanted to express the relationship between humans and animals through a fairy tale character that everyone has come into contact with as a child.
Bio
Fuyann Pang is studying at bachelor of visual arts. She likes photography and watching movies. She wants to study for a master's degree in film and screen arts at the University of Sydney.
Alex Putra
Fading
2025
Filmmaker Statement
My short film Fading confronts the harsh reality of homelessness and its dehumanisation. Inspired by seeing homeless people ignored inhumanely, I wanted to challenge prejudice. Through symbols like dying flowers, colour theory, and contrasting visuals, I evoked emotion and showed how quickly a ‘normal’ life can vanish.
Bio
Alex’s main instruments are euphonium, trombone, and cornet, beginning music at a young age. He has won the State Champion title for Euphonium in NSW and Victoria, coming third in Nationals, and completing his AmusA during his HSC year. As well as this, recently he works in an Army reserve band. Alex’s dream is to write musicals and sing for Broadway, in the process of writing a few musicals.
Hannah Rahim
I think I might be dying
2025
Filmmaker Statement
An experimental film about a woman who fails miserably as she tries to nurture a young plant, regardless of what she does.
Bio
A mix of film, music and creative writing students, all of us decided to collaborate together on a short film as this was made for an assignment.
Shimmy
Clownfish
2025
Filmmaker Statement
A short film about a clown on an obsessive quest to catch the “perfect fish”. Driven by a deep longing to escape herself, she believes salvation lies in becoming something other, by merging with the fish and the erasure of self.
Bio
Shimmy is a Sydney based filmmaker and current pharmacy student at the University of Sydney. During uni break, she loves world-building through hand crafted set making. Her work frequently delves into themes of alternate realities and pattern recognition. Clownfish was an entirely self funded project and came to life through the commitment and kindness of many generous, skilled collaborators.
Giselle Tuetuekin
Azulra
2023
Filmmaker Statement
Azulra is a short film and campaign encouraging open conversations about mental health. Inspired by the arara azul (blue macaw), a symbol of self-expression, it reminds us that sharing our feelings helps us recognise emotional signals and seek support. There’s no need for masks; speaking up begins the healing.
Directed and written by: Giselle Tuetuekin
Character 1: Frasier Tucker (@frazzles78)
Character 2: Ella Morris (@ellarmorris_)
Co-Producer: Sophie Vasic (@sophie_vasic.jk)
Co-Producer: Dylan Faulkner (@dylanjibman)
Cinematographer: Joshua Loria (@mt.jel)
Camera and lighting: Lachlan Macansh (@macansh_)
Editor: Lucas McDowall (@lucasmcdowall)
Sound Designer: João Pedro Stipp (@jpstipp)
Sound Assist: Tian Wei Ho (@wai.hetian)
Composer: Jorge Mendonça (@jorgemendonca97)
Special thanks: The Q Café, Melissa Silk, Andrew Silk
Bio
Azulra was written and directed by Giselle Tuetuekin. The project features performances by Frasier Tucker and Ella Morris, with a talented team including co-producers Sophie Vasic and Dylan Faulkner, cinematographer Joshua Loria, and editor Lucas McDowall. Sound, score, and visuals were crafted by emerging artists across Sydney’s creative scene.
Rih-Jia Wang
hotpot
2025
Filmmaker Statement
Hotpot unpacks a deceptive bond between two people whose relationship shifts from friendship to secret lovers to serial killers. As their shared delusions deepen, violence and intimacy boil together—like ingredients in a pot—until madness becomes the core of their connection, blending horror with perverse harmony.
Bio
Nina（rih-jia) Wang is a first-time director, writer, and producer. Hotpot is her directorial debut, an attempt to tell a rich and layered story within a confined space. Her background in production and screenwriting supports her interest in tension, psychology, and intimacy under pressure.
Jeep Zhang
Autism, Star And Gift
2023
Filmmaker Statement
A heartfelt short documentary capturing parents of autistic children who unite to teach baking and crafts. With support from Prof. Zhang Jisheng’s innovative system, these activities empower the children, foster social connection, and ease parental burdens—offering dignity, creativity, and hope through simple, shared creation.
Bio
I am a student constantly exploring between light, shadow, and reality.