Illawarra talent showcased on national stage at Flickerfest 2025

Two films from the Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival put Illawarra talent and scenery centre stage at Flickerfest 2025.

Over, written and directed by Duncan Ragg and Anna Phillips from the Corinthian Food Store and Bait, directed by Mt Warrigal’s Beau Ritchie, were selected for Australia’s only Academy Award® & BAFTA qualifying short film festival.

The films were made specifically for Creative Wollongong Short Film Competition and were screened for the first time at the outdoor festival by Lake Illawarra on 7 September 2024.

Filmmakers had to create their films locally, with theming based around our local waterways, with a focus on Lake Illawarra.

Over was written to showcase the talents of Illawarra actor James Carey, and was awarded Best Comedy for Flickerfest 2025.

It’s about a boy with a disability who steals his dad’s boat, takes it out to the middle of the lake and refuses to come back until his apathetic dad agrees to save the world.

It was filmed locally and in partnership with Bus Stop Films.

Duncan, from Corrimal, said the film was inspired after he worked with James, who has Kabuki syndrome, on a previous film.

“James did a scene outside in thunderstorm with some dogs; he was thrown in the deep end,” Duncan said.

“Afterwards his mum told me he had a fear of water, dogs, and wet grass – I had no idea. He was fantastic.

“There are times in your career where you might want to advance yourself or tell a particular story, but we wanted to get more eyes on James’ talent.”

Over explores how it feels to live in regional Australia when big events are happening in the wider world.

It also highlights the importance of putting real experiences, and real people, centre stage.

“We don’t know how to make change and we can feel small,” Duncan said.

“This felt like a nice way to bring the community together and James knocked it out of the park; he was so beautiful in it and we’re so proud.

“Finally we’re reaching into that sweet space of a person with a disability being centre stage, not the token friend.

“Audiences want to see authentic representation; they want to see characters on the screen that they know in real life.

“It’s been a long fight for a lot of people, and there’s still a long way to go, but it’s fantastic to see someone as talented as James bring his lived experience to the role.”

Duncan said being selected for Flickerfest was the icing on the cake for the team behind the film.

“It was the best screening we possibly could have had,” he said.

“James was there with his family. When he got up to introduce the film the crowd was alive because they saw someone who was passionate, professional and so excited to be in front of people who were keen to see his work.”

Bait is a true fishing story, about a fisherman who has to resort to trickery to reclaim his favourite spot.

Eighteen-year-old Beau was inspired by a prank his dad pulled on social media. He bought a saltwater fish at the market and posed with it in front of the lake.

The photo attracted comments from congratulatory to mystified and outraged.

“It was really funny, and given the theme for the competition it was the perfect time to use that anecdote,” Beau said.

“I was stoked Bait made it to Flickerfest. A film I made in 2021 was selected, and I’ve submitted every year since but didn’t get back in.

“It felt so good to know I can go back and my skills have improved.”