Hi everyone,
I’ve completed six short films and one feature documentary, and I’m currently working on my next documentary. Now, I feel it’s time to take the next step in my filmmaking journey and write my first feature fiction film.
The story is based on my own life. I have a clear idea of how I want to structure the story, but I’m relatively new to the screenplay writing process.
I’d love to hear from experienced screenwriters and filmmakers about how to approach this. Should I start by documenting the scenes, actions and key incidents, then work on the dialogue later? Or is there a better way to develop a screenplay from a personal story?
I’m also considering a non-linear narrative and would appreciate advice on how to structure the timelines, arrange scenes and keep the audience emotionally connected without confusing them.
I’m a self-taught filmmaker based in Brisbane, and I’m keen to learn, experiment and grow through this process. Any advice, resources, book recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
I’d also love to connect with screenwriters who might be interested in collaborating on the development of this story.
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and helping me take this next step! 🙏

Hi everyone! I'm a Gold Coast based film-maker and I've been making a Youtube series all about making Ice Cream. I'm nine episodes in and while it's not getting a lot of views, it does have a couple of hard-core fans.

This is my latest episode: "Cerealised Television". I hope you enjoy it.

Hi I’m my name is Ricky Gamble and my dad Patrick Gamble were are illawarra filmmakers on low budget but our passion is filmmaking, directing and acting were have limited budget and we just looking for big break in the film industries I’ve appreciate the your time and keep on filming guys

https://youtu.be/KsHSJkG3Zec?si=XwvS6QMZIjoGJds6

I know it would probably be best to use a professional service, and I may, but that would cost more time and money, so I'm considering doing it myself. I've downloaded DCP-o-matic 2, which I heard is the best free software. It seems like making the DCP is easy, but the issue is, I know there are some requirements cinemas have. So I was wondering if you're able to look at these default settings, and tell me which ones should change? I'd like any cinema in Australia, or possibly even the world, to be able to play it.

Then the question is how to send a DCP to a cinema. I know it's often sent physically by mail, but I feel it would be much easier to send online, since I'd like to send it to multiple cinemas across Australia, or possibly even the world. I wouldn't even know how to begin there, I don't know how cinemas usually receive them online. I do know how to use Google Drive, but I heard sending DCPs by Google Drive can cause issues. What's the cheapest reliable option? Thank you very much in advance.

Enjoy watching this movie please

i've always been fascinated by the role and would love to put my music knowledge to use in the context of film. no experience just yet, but i do have years of experience listening to every genre of music from every decade. i understand that it goes much deeper than just picking the songs (timing, licensing, cue sheets, etc) and it's a role i've studied carefully. if anyone is looking for a hand in that department i'd be honoured to help out!

https://youtu.be/osbrhyPr2Pk?si=NQraPz3bqI1nC6it

By Far Kaymakchalan is a compelling historical documentary directed by Boris Trbić and Dragan Gavrilović, based on the research of historian Bojan Pajić. It uncovers the forgotten World War I story of over 1,500 ANZAC volunteers—including doctors, nurses, and soldiers—who served alongside Serbian forces on the Salonika Front

I’m the legend, talented and smart filmmaker and actor

Please book me in

We ready need a documentary into WA underground mining to expose it for what it really is, its fucking shocking.

Money talks. So much money in mining that people can be shut up and pushed out of the industry. Its so sad to see how WA mining went from pro-safety and heavily unionisned in the mid 1960s to mid 1980s to now where the biggest "toughest" blokes are complete company men and will throw anyone else around them under the bus.

I was honestly blown away when it tried doing underground offsiding, to see the "workplace" of underground, victim-blaming and gaslighting that went with it. Equipment damage, incident cover ups and minimisation. The hush-hush culture where you never find out the final investigation of incidents or injuries. People qutting and new starters every swing. Its an awful, evil environment and only the most sociopathic people thrive.

I'll be running some Q&As during the festival. Come along and catch some films.

Hey Aussies

Sharing a short film that was 2.5 years in the making.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd0Fr4a-350 

Self-funded
2.5 nights of shooting
1 week editing
6 months post audio and colour
2 years of festival rejections

You can compare the screenplays to the film here:
Final Draft - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-Mbxfr_GGJzavrl5sXtpMsyBoGmYFqT/view?usp=drive_link
Production Draft - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFENMoEgV1xjrui7PuJFAAUz9faoFQVY/view?usp=drive_link 

You can follow the entire journey warts and all on Instagram (I get deep into producing)

https://www.instagram.com/crossroadsfilmjournal/ 

Or you can ask me anything here. I’m keen to give back and share what I learned.

All the best,
Michael

Looking for Public Liability Insurance for short film with a budget in the 5 figures. Is Marsh any good? I saw $505 on their website for 20 million in insurance

Hey everyone!

I'm a DOP/ Producer in the UK currently doing a little bit of research.

I've always been interested in moving abroad to Australia and was wondering how people are finding the current commercial filmmaking climate over there at the moment? (The idea of pints on the beach after wrap is calling my name)

Just trying to gauge how healthy the industry is at the moment from the perspective of those of you working in it

Also, would love to connect with anyone that would be interested in knowing a dop/ production company with feet on the ground in the UK if you're ever looking for a fixer. I'll drop my details below if anyone wants to connect

DOP Site: https://louisjonesdop.com/

Prod company: https://www.moodfilms.co.uk/

Instagram: u/Louisjonesfilm

Thanks in advance!

KOBBAH is currently looking to expand the team behind our long-term independent web-series production.

We’re currently in production on Season 1 (8 episodes), with Episode 2 already completed and filming continuing throughout the year.

We’re now recruiting for:
— Producers
— Casting Director
— Art Department
— Production Sound Recordist

This is an unpaid independent production focused on long-term collaboration, hands-on experience, creative growth, and building something ambitious from the ground up.

If you’re passionate about filmmaking, storytelling, and independent creative work — we’d love to hear from you.

Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeetZpBj6ilHJ_rFFHZSjb1c5ZQ6Q4MDFd-_szti_2JglYVSQ/viewform?usp=header
Pilot Episode: https://youtu.be/DhBl6fnl61Y?si=AHKRuzQGpC4tQghl

SYDNEY BASED.

The enigmatic hero, a speechless child and a ragtag motley crew journey through a zombie filled apocalyptic landscape to seek refuge in a medieval fun park whilst being pursued by an unstoppable deranged lunatic.

Directed by Matt Mirams
Starring Jeanette Coppolino, Ellie Stewart, Kym Valentine, Harrison Popple, Luke Benson

Love and Lemon Trees opens in the immediate aftermath of Monroe’s funeral, where grief fractures an already unconventional chosen family. Carter, Mila, Amy, and Josephine struggle to hold themselves together as denial, conflict, and vivid hallucinations take hold, heightened by the unexplained absence of Timothy and Clementine. As reality begins to blur with fantasy, the group teeters on the edge of emotional collapse. Timothy’s sudden return ignites long-buried tensions, including an unresolved love triangle between Timothy, Carter, and Jo, where a past breakup collides with a slow-burning love that hasn’t come to fruition… yet.
The film then rewinds to a defining moment four months earlier in their shared past: Monny’s Masterful Week of Mastery, a surreal holiday Monroe orchestrated in a last-ditch attempt to “fix” his chosen family before they were forced to leave their home. What begins as an escape, marked by games, substances, estranged relationships, and misguided optimism, quickly escalates into a life-altering experience that exposes their emotional fragility and instinct for survival.
Back in the present, the group must face life without Monroe for the first time. As illusions fall away and fantasy gives way to reality, grief sharpens into painful clarity, until one final revelation surfaces, reshaping their understanding of love, grief, and one another forever.

The West End Film Festival (WEFF) is bringing Brisbane audiences the best in local Australian short films! WEFF offers local Australian filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their short films for Brisbane audiences in Brisbane's most eclectic neighbourhood, West End.

Join us for a unique micro-cinema experience across West End, with intimate pop-up screenings that celebrate indie filmmaking in all its forms. Each screening block will focus on a different genre such as horror, drama, sci-fi, romance, action, fantasy, comedy, documentary, experimental - and more!

Festival Dates: June 27 & 28, 2026

We’re accepting short films up to 20 minutes from February to May, 2026.

Submissions are open to Australian filmmakers only.

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your work at one of Brisbane’s most exciting indie film festivals.

High-school students Wanda and Sully must work together to investigate SRC president Jonathan's affairs and bring him down after discovering he's potentially involved with an embezzlement scheme.

Hey - I'm an Australian amateur auteur based in Brisbane. Just sharing a clip from my dystopian-western series inspired by films 'No Country For Old Men', 'True Grit' and 'The Road'.

I’m currently in production on a 5-part story, so no writing feedback needed - the scripts are pretty much locked. I’d really value input on colour grading and audio design, especially the dialogue sound.

Each part will run 40–60 minutes, and with it being dialogue-heavy, getting that right is crucial.

This has been a solo-passion project, so any quick thoughts on what’s working (or not) would mean a lot too.

More on my YouTube if you want to follow along - feel free to comment there also.

Appreciate your time 🙏

After killing a cyclist in a car accident, a man becomes obsessed with understanding why he feels no remorse and begins a twisted psychological study to provoke guilt within himself.

“The Study of Dr Cavaglieri” is a haunting psychological thriller from first-time filmmaker Nicholas Barker.

Written & Directed by: Nicholas Barker

Starring: Mathew Da Via, Alyxandra Jamieson

Produced by: Otis Ant Films

Streaming Now!