THROUGH THE LOCAL LENS

OFFICIAL SELECTION | SHORT FILM SESSION

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER - 1 PM

The Northern Rivers, recognized as Australia's largest regional film hub, is celebrated at our festival with a selection of locally made films. These films highlight the unique stories and artistic visions that flourish in this vibrant creative community. From stirring narratives to groundbreaking documentaries, local filmmakers use their deep connections to the region to craft films that resonate with authenticity and passion, reflecting the dynamic cultural landscape of our region.

Some films are intimate and personal, others daring and playful, but all share a sense of place and the spark of imagination that thrives here.

With the filmmakers present this session is your chance to explore and celebrate the depth of filmmaking in our own backyard.

  • A girl looks to the distance

    SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW

    SHORT | 4MIN | DIRECTOR:JORDAN EDMEADES | PRODUCER: JESSE JEAN | GREEN PIGEON

    A young girl returns to her forest hideout with something special for a new friend.

  • A woman washes her hands over a sink

    THERESA

    SHORT | 2 MIN | DIRECTOR: TREVOR WARDEN | PRODUCER: LEANNE WORDEN | MURWILLUMBAH

    Theresa explores the deep psychological barriers that emerge from unresolved childhood trauma,

  • an undead hand sits on a womans shoulders

    LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

    SHORT | 6 MIN | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: SCARLETTE-ROSE DRIVER |

    When a coastal girl finds a mysterious vinyl record in her hands, she is unaware of the havoc it will bring to her and others. A record that will change and end lives…

  • Poster for the film "Haunt Me" featuring a girl lying down in the ground next to someon wearing a ghost sheet.

    HAUNT ME

    SHORT | 13 MIN | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: NATALIE GRONO | BALLINA

    A daydreaming teen’s summer is upended by a mysterious boy, forcing her to choose between imagination, first love, and reality.

  • I red poster for the film Lizzie which shows a box of broken eggs.

    LIZZIE

    SHORT | 10 MIN | DIRECTOR: EMILY HUTCHENSON | PRODUCER: JACKSON HAYAT | LENNOX HEAD

    When two housemates ask their third bat shit housemate to move out – the tables are turned in a diabolical way.

  • A poster for the film Our Salvage Project which shows a workshop

    OUR SALVAGE PROJECT

    SHORT DOC | 15 MIN | DIRECTOR: ASH MINES | PRODUCERS: ASH MINES + SOPHIE WILKSCH | FERNLEIGH

    A documentary following Shedding Community Workshop and Sophie Wilksch as they tackle waste, sustainability, and climate resilience through their bold six-month “Salvage Crew” initiative.

  • a POSTER FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO RADIENT AND SOMBRE

    RADIANT AND SOMBRE

    MUSIC VIDEO |4 MIN | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: TEDNABUNG | GOONENGERRY

    A stark black-and-white vision where sound collides with shadow, Radiant and Sombre channels tension and transcendence in a hypnotic interplay of light, rhythm, and emotion.

  • A MAN IS UNDERWATER, SOURROUNDED BY BLUE BUT WITH LIGHT ON HIS FACE

    LIGHT IN DARK PLACES

    SHORT DOC | 15 MIN | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: SAM CLARKE | MULLUMBIMBY

    After a near-fatal accident, Beau is thrust into an out-of-body journey where confronting his deepest darkness becomes the only path back to life - and to the inner light he’s been searching for.

  • A poster for the film Flowing wOOD, A MAN'S SILLOUETTE HAS HIS ARTWORK IMPOSED INSIDE

    FLOWING WOOD

    SHORT DOC | 10 MIN | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: JOEL BYRANT | SUFFOLK PARK

    A documentary following Dean, a solo traveler, surfer, and artist who turns driftwood into aerial seascapes, exploring nature, solitude, and healing in the wake of personal loss.