2025 - The Year That Was

What a year 2025 turned out to be!

Not one but TWO proof of concept short films shot and completed from scripts I'd written to support corresponding feature projects. One, a fictional whistleblower story starring Myles Pollard and Caroline Brazier in the style and tone of the feature screenplay based on Andrew Wilkie's book Axis of Deceit. Both the feature and the short are called Truth To Power. 

The second, a self contained short utilising a story strand from my high concept horror screenplay Doomscroller, starring newcomers Mackenzie Reynolds and Jayk Thomas. This one is called #doomscroller.

The feature Doomscroller would go on to be very well received at the 37⁰South film market in Melbourne. I'll be working on a new draft based on market feedback as a priority in 2026. 

Between those two shoots I was accepted into Screenwest's revived Feature Navigator initiative with a third feature project, The Agenda. What an inspiring and informative four days discussing the project with industry professionals. 

Speaking of The Agenda, it was one of two feature scripts read on separate nights at Scripts and Sips. The other one being the thriller Turbulence. Thank you to Ryan Woosnam for organising such terrific evenings and all the actors who read on those nights and gave such perceptive feedback afterwards. 

I received periodic updates on the werewolf feature Bull with the script still in circulation and a possible co-production in the offing.

The second half of the year saw two separate instances of actors approaching me after having been given my name by actors I respect. One has led to a new short film script called Undercurrent which I'm excited about. The other could possibly lead to developing a synopsis into a psychological thriller that is right in my wheelhouse. 

I even started writing a play which, in my fashion, is based on a scenario not too tangential to the fictional Truth To Power short. 

New collaborators, new projects, a renewed sense of enthusiasm and optimism as 2026 unfolds. I re-joined the Australian Writers’ Guild on Christmas Eve and also found an excellent intellectual property lawyer to bounce things off.

Highlights include:

Being on set when Myles and Caroline were going at it in a pivotal scene from the Truth To Power short. What a joy to see your words brought to life by such excellent actors. 

Again, from TTP… the casting of recently graduated WAAPA student Deep Sroa who went head to head with Myles. 

Meeting the Cairnes Brothers of Late Night With The Devil fame and discussing Doomscroller with them at Feature Navigator. 

Reconnecting with editor Lawrie Silvestrin who edited my first produced short film (Slice)… over twenty years ago! 

Working the ol’ socials to ensure we met the crowdfunding target for the #doomscroller shoot and, indeed, exceeded it. 

Reaching out to a student film-maker to give feedback on her short film script because the subject matter resonated deeply. 

And perhaps most of all, the goodwill from people who donated to the crowdfunding campaign and/or asked about my film projects, especially in theatre circles where I'm better known as a reviewer. The support and interest throughout the year has been truly amazing!

So thank you to all the people who believe in me and my work.

Let's see what 2026 brings…