The Raven’s Cry Theatre Student Film Festival: Where Young Filmmakers Shine

In the vibrant community of the Sunshine Coast, where creativity and innovation thrive, the Raven’s cry theatre student Film Festival took center stage, bringing together aspiring filmmakers, enthusiasts, and community supporters for an unforgettable night of storytelling. The brainchild of Jason “Rowdy” Rody, a theatre staffer and seasoned film production professional, the festival was born out of a desire to foster a sense of connection and engagement between the community and the young creators who bring their visions to life. As Rody aptly put it: “We’re not just here to watch films; we’re here to experience stories and visions from these young filmmakers. The Sunshine Coast may seem like a small community, but today we’re introducing some big voices captured through the lens of teen directors, writers, and creators.”
To kick off the festival, an engaging day-long editing workshop was hosted by Rody at the theatre complex, which attracted aspiring filmmakers and industry experts alike. The workshop culminated in the selection of 11 short film submissions, showcasing a diverse range of genres and talents. The films that made it to the festival featured a range of captivating themes, including nostalgia, reconciliation, and suspense. Mervy Mingo’s Santa offered a poignant perspective on familial ties and the magic of wish-making, while Taho Shinagawa’s Where We Live took audiences on a breathtaking journey through the Sunshine Coast’s stunning natural landscapes. The festival also showcased some exceptional talent from secondary schools and performing arts programs. Elphinstone Secondary’s TV program produced a hilarious sendup of mercenary tactics in the fashion world, while animator Talia Harding wowed audiences with her latest instalment in The Ants Go Marching franchise. A notable highlight was the appearance of Connor Murawsky, Mason Ferguson, Bella Bothwell, and Autumn Heusdon, who brought to the screen an unnerving study in suspense, aptly titled Horror. Their chilling tale elicited a mix of shrieks and laughter, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats. The festival’s audience voting process resulted in the following top honors:
* Third place: Nuclear Princess, a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the superficiality of fashion and lifestyle vloggers, directed by textile artist Willow Rody. * Second place: Jet Ventro, a sequel to the secret agent epic introduced during last year’s ProjectSPIDER festival, which revolves around a race to deactivate a nefarious anti-aging device. * First place: To Evil or Not To Evil, a revisionist fairy tale by students of the Driftwood Theatre School, which explores themes of technology, power, and deception. Among the winners, there were several testimonials to the transformative power of filmmaking. Rowan Rody, producer of Jet Ventro, noted: “This movie got me back into filmmaking.” His collaborator, Liam Moon, also acknowledged the impact of the festival: “I want to make short films now.”
Similarly, Doris Garner, who stars as a sinister queen in To Evil or Not To Evil, observed: “Movies are so much more than they look. It looks so simple when you’re watching it.” Her co-star, Haelyn Treliving, added: “It’s a massive community, and the fact that our community is so willing to bring this group of teens toward the world of filmmaking is very generous.”
The Raven’s Cry Theatre Student Film Festival has set the stage for a new annual tradition, one that will continue to nurture and showcase the creative talents of young filmmakers on the Sunshine Coast. As the community comes together to celebrate the art of storytelling, the festival serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that films can have on audiences and the world at large.