If this interior decor brings on a wave of nostalgia, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Nicole Stojanovska’s upcoming web series, Gia. Photo: Nicole Stojanovska.
The stories of Macedonian-Australian women haven’t had their moment in the spotlight – but Horsley filmmaker Nicole Stojanovska plans to change that.
Her upcoming comedy web series, Gia, set in Port Kembla, shares stories about Macedonian and Italian communities from a female perspective.
Nicole, who has Macedonian and Italian heritage, said the project was inspired by her experiences growing up in Corrimal, Fairy Meadow and Balgownie.
She wanted to fly the flag for her community after the success of projects like Wog Boy, Sooshi Mango and Fat Pizza.
“There’s no real Macedonian representation and the last female character was probably Effie back in the 80s,” Nicole said.
“I wanted to make something about the female experience of what it is to be a ‘wog’, and Macedonians are yet to see themselves represented, even though we’re a prominent part of Wollongong.
“Port Kembla is the hub of the wog community and it’s the perfect place to represent the world I’m creating.”
This isn’t Nicole’s first foray into filmmaking.
She has previously created short films, most recently one called YOUTH for the 2024 Creative Wollongong film competition.
Nicole wanted Gia to run initially as a web series to gauge whether there was the appetite for it to be adapted for TV.
“Our goal is to do a full web series so people have something to look forward to watching each week and it mimics what it would look like in that longer form rather than a short film,” she said.
“Our protagonist, Gia, moves back in with her old-school parents in Port Kembla after her life crumbles.
“We explore the generational gap, balancing cultures when your parents have really traditional values or are out of touch with the world my generation and younger live in.
“One storyline has Gia try to sell photos of her feet on the internet – obviously that doesn’t go down well with the older generation.
“We wanted to explore the tension between those two life perspectives and really immerse the viewer in that world.”
To create an authentic set Nicole put the call out to the Wollongong community and asked if anybody would be willing to open up their home for filming.
The home had to be just right in terms of age and decor, and thankfully the community delivered.
Nicole and the production company she is working with, Ten Alphas, have been offered a few potential locations to set the series.
She said the community enthusiasm and support off the back of her social media posts scouting for a film location was unreal.
“The Macedonians especially seem to be really excited, and a family in Tarrawanna generously offered their house in the spirit of supporting the community,” she said.
“The old-school houses are a totally different world, even the decor as opposed to modern houses and furnishings. We’re really thankful.”
Wollongong Culture Bank has helped fund the fledgling series.
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