Emergent 2024: Short Films

For one night only, Bunjil Place will present highlights from 2024’s graduating VCE Media film students from the local region at an outdoor screening event.

These films highlight the many ways a medium can be interpreted and crafted to tell a range of stories. From uncovering and delving into family stories through documentary and bio-pic styles, to playful takes on classic film genres such as horror and heist films, each film is significant in its own way and demonstrates the potential of our local, emerging film makers.

In this day and age where film making and publishing has never been more accessible and democratised, where anyone can pick up their smartphone and create a video, it can be challenging to cut through the noise and be noticed. The emerging films you will see at this screening event demand our full attention, to be noticed and for us to take note.

Please note the films are unclassified and contain mature content, including, but not limited to, violence, drug use, adult themes and coarse language. Parental guidance recommended.

The café will be closed during the film screening. Please bring your own snacks or a picnic to enjoy.

This is an alcohol-free event.

Image: Griffin Schmutter, Destination (still), 2024.

Event schedule
Please arrive at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.

Featured films

Gemma Valastro, Il Tempo Se Ne Va (Time Goes By)

Il Tempo Se Ne Va // Time Goes By follows an old man, Gino Di Mano, reflecting on the love story between he and his first love, Marie Clarke. We are transported back to the 60s where we see the old man's younger self and follow the story of how he met his first love despite unlikely circumstances - she is Australian, and he is an Italian immigrant who didn't speak English.

The film tells a heartwarming story about love, youthful joy, navigating aging, and appreciating the present as a gift - whilst also exploring themes of immigration including language barriers and coming out of one's shell through adjustment and relationships.

Emma Riddle, Have Hope

This short film follows a character and their struggle with insomnia and sleep paralysis that interferes with day-to-day life. This sleep paralysis haunting not only in dreams at night but also during the day. I wanted to play into the genre of horror and thriller through jump scares and lighting. The lighting involved multiple colours of lights to symbolise different things such as red for negative instances like jump scares and cause the audience to notice that the red symbolises the antagonist.

Caitlin Bickley, The Big Dog

The Big Dog is a comedy that explores the mystery of celebrity and misconceptions and rumours that can follow them.

Ronan Warnakulasuriya, Change of Plans

For my production I made a short film that revolves around a man returning to a life of crime through an old connection for “one last job” for the purpose of paying off a large debt, only for the connection to betray him, leading to him seeking revenge. The purpose of the short film is to entertain audiences with a thrilling story, well-choreographed fight scenes and humorous scenes. 

Ashleigh Boustead, Babysitting gone wrong

My work is a short comedy horror film, with elements of found footage, that aims to engage and entertain teenagers aged 13+ who enjoy comedy slasher films like Scream or Scary movie, or even mystery TV shows like Scooby Doo. My film surrounds a group of friends, who are enjoying their night babysitting, until a killer breaks in and hunts them down. The film is unserious in order to comedically engage my audience. I have always loved making films with my siblings, cousins and friends, and I wanted to make a film that I could show to all my loved ones that would make them laugh, and make me proud.

Charlotte Moseley, ASHLEY

ASHLEY is a documentary that delves into the authentic story of Ashley, a man with severe autism approaching his 40th birthday, and his daily life in the context of this milestone. I have aimed to create a genuine, heartwarming documentary that depicts Ashley’s fulfilling life, from his relationship with family to his experience at his day program. I have subtly conveyed the complexities of an autism diagnosis, its impacts on daily life, and the ageing of his elderly parents and carers through the extended motifs of the beach, waves, and shadows, whilst maintaining a light-hearted, positive tone. I have aimed to disrupt negative stereotypes or misunderstandings about autism, and highlight the unwavering love of his parents.

Griffin Schmutter, Destination

Destination follows the protagonist as they try to journey to their own vision of the city, until they realise that it doesn't exist. The film utilises rotoscope animation to explore the difference between reality and perception, illustrating how we build up false ideas of experiences that shatter when we actually experience them. Ultimately we have to realise that we are the source of all of the wonder in our lives, rather than the unlived lives we project that wonder onto.