Hi everyone. I’m a 27-year-old Italian guy, and lately, I’ve been seriously considering moving to Melbourne on a Working Holiday Visa for about two years. I’m posting here to ask for real information and advice from people in the industry; I want to properly weigh up what this choice would mean for me—keeping my feet firmly on the ground and without any illusions.
I’m looking for the right balance between work, hard effort, and having a good quality of life. If I enjoy what I do, I work hard, adapt fast, and commit fully.
My profile:
5 years working on video and film sets in Rome, mainly as a camera operator and lighting/spark.
To be completely honest, my real strength lies in framing, movement, and visual composition rather than being an obsessive gear nerd with cameras, lenses, and accessories.
Just spent 10 months living in Nepal for a humanitarian project, so I’m used to roughing it, adapting fast, and working in tough environments.
English level: Intermediate. I can hold normal conversations, get my point across, and take directions on set, though I’m definitely not fluent yet.
Plan to land with around $11k–$12k AUD in savings.
I'm fully aware that I'll almost certainly need to take an easy-to-find casual job right away (warehouse, hospitality, basic labor) just to settle in, pay the bills, and start saving up.
The big questions I have for the local screen industry:
1. Breaking into the scene: If you’re familiar with the Melbourne film and audiovisual industry, do I have a realistic chance of breaking in and getting paid work—say, as a 2nd AC, camera utility, or spark—after spending a few months settling in and meeting people? Or is the scene totally closed off to newcomers on a temporary visa?
2. Rental houses: Given my profile, would applying at places like Lemac or VA Hire for warehouse prep/gear check be a realistic entry point, or do you need to be a total technical gear head to even get considered?
3. Savings & reality check: Beyond building experience, part of my goal is to live comfortably and save good money (say, around $1,500 AUD a month). Is that realistically achievable by combining basic casual work with freelance set gigs once I get a foot in the door, or does the local cost of living just eat everything away?
4. Best approach: Does it make more sense to rely on a non-industry day job to cover life and save up while shooting indie stuff on the side, or is it actually viable to sustain yourself purely through crewing/rental house work within the first year?
What are the major blind spots someone in my position is likely ignoring? Tear my plan apart if needed. Thanks a lot! 🌝

I am trying to find a film that I saw years ago. It is from either Australia or New Zeeland. It is about a person who owns a house and takes on an ongoing list of house mates. Everything that could go wrong, does. The last fiasco is when the outside wall of the house falls down.

The Adventures of PJ, a magical Teddy Bear who dreams of being a real boy - Inspired by The Adventures of Pinnocchio by Carlo Collodi.

https://fawesome.tv/movies/10649132/pj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mm37O8vCcM

https://reelgood.com/au/movie/pj

https://cabaneasang.tv/film/pj/

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1318061-pj

I hope you can enjoy that feature film

How do you actually use the reward points? I've been a VIP Hoyts member for a bit over a year now and have 32k points but I've never figured out how to actually redeem them, either in the app or on the website. The rewards menu only lets me select items as a “goal” to save for but doesn’t let me redeem them.
I've asked staff at the cinema for help twice now and they haven't been able to figure it out either.

How's the sydney film and advertising market currently? I am a Cinematographer who has mainly worked in Advertisements and 2 feature films and am looking to explore more options in other countries. What is the current scale and frequency of work, specially for freelancers? If one has to shift to Sydney, is it safer to start working a job initially?

There's a bunch of Aussie shorts available on MIFF Online for free til 30 August. Dig on in.

so in April (2026) ish time there was a trans lead Australian mini series (can also be watched as a film) called Homebodies.

i thoroughly enjoyed it as a trans man and wanted to give more love and credit to it by listening to the soundtrack/background music played in the film, but to no luck i found any of it.

does anyone know any of the songs from it?? it would be really relieving for me and i could compile the songs on a music platform for everyone to enjoy. thank you !!!

Hey everyone, does anyone know about the short film "Hollow" (2019) by Erin Tabley? I really wanna see it, but I can't find it anywhere.

Hey everyone! AFFA 2026 is starting in from 3-6 of September

Super cool opportunity to support emerging talent just thought I would share the program!

https://africafilmfest.au/index

https://letterboxd.com/activity/

My name is Jackson, I am 24 years old and I am an aspiring writer and director. I have written a short story in the psychological drama category. I am looking for cast and crew to help make this short film a reality to submit to film festivals.

Plot

THE LAST STRAW is a psychological drama following a young woman struggling to rebuild her life after an unexpected loss. As an endless stream of ordinary setbacks begins to pile up, the weight of grief, financial pressure and quiet isolation slowly erodes her ability to cope. What seems like an ordinary bad day builds toward a devastating emotional breaking point.

My goal is to produce a polished short film suitable for submission to Australian and international film festivals.

Students and aspiring filmmakers are encouraged to apply. Passion, reliability, and a willingness to learn are more important than professional experience.

As someone trying to break into the industry myself, I know how difficult it can be to get your foot in the door, especially in Australia. My hope is that this project gives everyone involved an opportunity to gain experience, build connections and create something we're all proud of.

Previous experience is not required. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have the skills or equipment necessary for the role they are applying for (e.g. a portfolio, showreel, photographs of previous work or other relevant examples).

Location

Gold Coast and/or Brisbane – (exact location TBA).

Shoot Length and Dates

-       Approximately one week of filming spread over several weekends.

-       Late 2026 or early 2027 (TBA).

Please note: As this project develops through pre-production and rehearsals, the screenplay may be revised. While the core story and characters will remain the same, dialogue, scenes and scheduling are subject to change.

CAST POSITIONS

Female Actress - Amy

Preferably in her early to mid-twenties. Will be the lead.

Male Actor - Ryan

Preferably in his early to mid-twenties. Partner of Amy.

Female Actress – Stacy

Early twenties. Amy’s overenthusiastic, delusional sister.

Female Actress – Store Worker

Early twenties. Conversates with the lead actress.

Male Actor – Stranger

Flexible age range. Conversates with the lead actress.

CREW POSITIONS

1st Director Assistant:

Keeping the shoot on schedule, organises the day.

Director of Photography (Cinematographer):

Responsible for visual look, lighting, camera movement and lenses.

Camera Owner / Operator:

Access to a professional cinema camera (Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K, Sony FX3, Canon C70, RED, or similar) is highly desirable. Please let me know what equipment you can bring.

Gaffer / Lighting Technician:

Responsible for setting up and managing lighting throughout the production.

Production Sound Recordist:

Recording dialogue and on-set audio.

Editor:

Assemble and edit the film, helping shape the final story through picture editing.

This is currently an unpaid passion project. My goal is to create a high-quality short film for film festivals while giving everyone involved another strong piece for their portfolio and experience working on set.

Benefits:

-       Meals and refreshments provided each shooting day.

-       IMDb and screen credits.

-       Festival submission credits.

-       High-quality footage for your showreel (where applicable).

-       Opportunity to build industry connections.

-       Behind-the-scenes photos and production stills.

I'm committed to running this production professionally, respectfully and collaboratively, and I hope to build lasting relationships with everyone involved.

For any questions or inquiries, please email me at: [horizonproductionsfilm@gmail.com](mailto:horizonproductionsfilm@gmail.com)

We are trying to create awareness to make this project possible. A film by oicg_official about mental health.

Hey everyone just looking for some advice, I’m currently a tradie in Melbourne and am looking to change careers to film, would love to work on a tv set doing anything , how would I get into that? Should I do a course ? Should I email film companies? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Brisbane based

August 8 & 9 (night time shoots likely)

Paid (small budget)

I am searching for an experienced sound recordist with their own equipment to assist with our short film in Brisbane, August 8 & 9.

Director: Jack Walsh

Director of Photography: Dorji Tsering @no.cwn on Instagram.

Full catering provided, as well as travel expenses. Full credit provided as well as a high definition copy of final product

Own Equipment is Essential

Please contact jackwalshfilm@outlook.com for any enquiries.

For the Aussies: She played “Mary” in Gallipoli. Anyone know what happened to her? (American Australian Film Renaissance fan here.)

For those who like their lo-fi Aussie comedies black 🖤