My Friend Artemis
Coming from the heart of emerging filmmaker Stanley Cook, My Friend Artemis is a poignant story of friendship reunited and a tribute to the persistence of nature to endure in an ever-changing world.
Ahead of the film’s Byron Bay Premiere, The 17-year-old filmmaker from Mullumbimby speaks to us about his passion for the natural world and journey into filmmaking.
BBFF: Can you tell us about what the film is about, in your own words?
Stanley: The film follows my younger brother and me as we attempt to recreate a childhood experience that shaped who we are today: making friends with a wild eel, before the 2022 floods changed everything. Drawing on archival footage, weaving together the past and present, this film is both a coming-of-age story and a portrait of an unlikely friendship. Along the way, it reflects on the lessons we learned—patience, careful observation and the value of not judging a slimy book by its cover!
An important aspect of the film is its exploration of the biology and ecology of eels and the aquatic environments they inhabit. Eels play a vital role as keystone species in their ecosystems... And I'm obsessed!
BBFF: How did you come to the realisation that you wanted to be a filmmaker?
Stanley: I think I have pretty much always had an interest in filmmaking, as far back as I can remember. It was always there in the background, whether I necessarily realised it or not. I would sometimes make little edits of videos I had taken while out in nature, or narrative films with my friends when I was younger.
But my first encounter with "proper filmmaking" was through a course I did with local filmmaker Jordan Edmeads, which I think he called the "Homeschool Filmmaking Academy". It was through that course that I learnt more about the technical side of filmmaking and realised I had a real interest in it.
BBFF: Who were some of the people you couldn't have made the film without?
Stanley: My brother River was an integral part of the film, as well as my film teacher at the time Jordan Edmeades.
BBFF: This is your first, as you described it, ‘proper’ film. Tell us about some challenges you faced in making it a reality.
Stanley: There were many! Perhaps the biggest hurdles were the uncontrollable environment and our unpredictable subject. We spent hours in remote creeks, attempting to film a wild animal underwater with very basic equipment. It required a great deal of patience, perseverance, and adaptability. Eventually, through that persistence, we were able to gain Artemis’s trust—and that made all the challenges worthwhile.
BBFF: That must have made for some memorable moments on set. Could you let us in on one of them?
Stanley: Watching my brother get in and out of his waders, over winter woolies!
BBFF: As a NSW filmmaker, what does being part of BBFF's 20th edition mean to you?
Stanley: I'm so grateful for my film to have been selected for BBFF. This story is very close to my heart, and I love to see it being appreciated by a wider audience.
BBFF: What are you most looking forward to about sharing your film with a BBFF audience?
Stanley: I look forward to this film being shown on its home turf as an opportunity to showcase an important yet often overlooked and misunderstood Byron Shire resident: Longfin Eels. I hope that locals who watch the film can develop a greater appreciation of the slimy beasties in their waterways.
I hope the film encourages viewers to reconsider preconceived ideas about eels and fosters a deeper understanding and respect for their environment.
BBFF: We can’t wait to see how your filmmaking craft continues to bloom! What are you most excited to explore as you develop your voice as a filmmaker?
Stanley: Telling fresh stories through unique perspectives.
BBFF: Lastly, tell us something that might surprise our audiences.
Stanley: I'm a little bit scared of eels!
Stanley’s first film has achieved eight festival/showcase selections, one nomination and four awards so far. He has always been passionate about the natural world, particularly rivers and creeks. The promising filmmaker is also a martial artist and amateur ecologist.
As a active believer in - and supporter of - the filmmaking voices shaping the future of our world, BBFF is thrilled to have My Friend Artemis as part of our 2026 official selection.
My Friend Artemis screens as part of Through the Local Lens at Brunswick Picture House on 24 Oct.