Thrills and Chills Fest 2024 – winners

We had a terrific night at the screening for the 2024 Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci Fi and Horror Fest screening. The audience loved the incredibly diverse genre short films from around the world.

Congratulations to the category winners (see below). As per the rules, we have reserved the right not to award winners in a small number of categories.

A big thank you to filmmakers Kalina Davis (“Hidden Prey”) and Julianna Purnell who attended the screening in person.

We’ll be opening entries soon for the 2025 season.

Official selections screened at the event

‘They’re Coming’
Country of origin: United States
Director(s): Camy “Cameron” Arnett

‘Unit 17: Week 3’
Country of origin: United States
Director(s): David Kaye, Theresa Stefaniak

‘Reboot’
Country of origin: China
Director: CHRIS QI YAO

‘Hidden Prey’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Kalina Davis

‘Lab Rat’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Ben Hargreaves

‘La Soglia’
Country of origin: Italy
Director(s): Nicolò Tonani, Sofia Gasparetti, Simone Colombo

‘I Was’
Country of origin: Italy
Director(s): Matteo Capatti, Lorenzo Mazzucchi

‘Demon Dog’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Juliana Purnell

‘Ruined Date’
Country of origin: Mexico
Director: Antonio Rotunno

‘Doom Scroll’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Roy Weiland

‘Moonbeans: A Tale of Two Astronauts’
Country of origin: United States
Director: James G. Maynard

‘The Missing’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Lovejeet Singh

‘The Man in the Red Pants’
Country of origin: Australia Director(s): Liam Govan, Hassibullah Kushkaki

‘Delivery’
Country of origin: United States
Director: Braydon Leadbetter

Category award winners

Audience favourite – “The Missing”

Short film – Horror / Thriller – “The Missing”

Short film – Sci Fi – “Lab Rat”

Director – Lovejeet Singh “The Missing”

Actor – Alex Botto – “The Missing”

Song / score – Paul Shrofel (score) “Hinter-Land”

Production design – “The Man in the Red Pants”

Sound design – “I Was”

Mobile phone / tablet film – “Demon Dog” & “Hidden Prey”

Trailer – “I Was”

Poster – “They’re Coming”

Screenplay – horror / thriller – “Chrysalis” by Lachlan Anderson-Schmidt

Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci Fi and Horror Fest screening October 18, 2024

Silhouette of crow on a tree branch with a reddish cloudy moon in the background

Join us for the screening of the first ever Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci Fi and Horror Fest.

We’re celebrating independent genre short films with the most interesting and intriguing genre films from around the world.

As well as thrills, scares, dystopia, and fantasy, you’ll also be treated to a few laughs.

Note – not suitable for audiences under 15. May include gore, supernatural themes, violence, coarse language, and sexual references.

Details:

Location: Studio 138, Unit 1 / 54 Mountbatten Drive, Dubbo, NSW, 2830

Date: October 18, 2024

Time: 7.30 pm

BYO snacks and drinks

Tickets: $11 (inc GST)

Thrills and Chills Fest - Oct 18, 2024

Thrills and Chills Fest – Oct 18, 2024

$11.00

Buy tickets

Official selections

‘They’re Coming’
Country of origin: United States
Director(s): Camy “Cameron” Arnett

‘Unit 17: Week 3’
Country of origin: United States
Director(s): David Kaye, Theresa Stefaniak

‘Reboot’
Country of origin: China
Director: CHRIS QI YAO

‘Hidden Prey’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Kalina Davis

‘Lab Rat’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Ben Hargreaves

‘La Soglia’
Country of origin: Italy
Director(s): Nicolò Tonani, Sofia Gasparetti, Simone Colombo

‘I Was’
Country of origin: Italy
Director(s): Matteo Capatti, Lorenzo Mazzucchi

‘Demon Dog’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Juliana Purnell

‘Ruined Date’
Country of origin: Mexico
Director: Antonio Rotunno

‘Doom Scroll’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Roy Weiland

‘Moonbeans: A Tale of Two Astronauts’
Country of origin: United States
Director: James G. Maynard

‘The Missing’
Country of origin: Australia
Director: Lovejeet Singh

‘The Man in the Red Pants’
Country of origin: Australia Director(s): Liam Govan, Hassibullah Kushkaki

‘Delivery’
Country of origin: United States
Director: Braydon Leadbetter

Thrills and Chills Fest – Semi-finalists June 2024

We’re excited to announce our June 2024 monthly semi-finalists of our Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Fest. Our semi-finalist films will be in consideration to be selected for our live screening in October 2024, where the annual winners for each category will be announced.

Find our more about the film festival here:

studio138.com.au/thrills-and-chills

Enter your short film or screenplay on FilmFreeway

Best short film: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Lost & Found” – dir Will Scott

“Delivery” – dir Braydon Leadbetter

“The Lost Boys” – dir Bryan Young

“The Man in the Red Pants” – dirs. Liam Govan and Hassibullah Kushkaki

“The Missing” – dir Lovejeet Singh

Best director semi-finalists

“The Lost Boys” – Bryan Young

“The Missing” – Lovejeet Singh

Best actor semi-finalists

“The Lost Boys” – Vahl Pate

“The Missing” – Alex Botto

Best production design semi-finalists

“The Lost Boys”

“The Man in the Red Pants”

“The Missing”

Best sound design semi-finalists

“The Missing” – Clay Antonio and David Pizarcoff

Lights, Camera, Action! High School Screen Acting Workshop

When: July 16 – 19, 2024, 10 am to 2 pm (school holidays)

Cost: $385 (inc GST) per student (payment plans available)

Where: Studio 138, Unit 1 – 54 Mountbatten Drive, Dubbo

Discover the magic of screen acting with our intensive, hands-on workshop designed for aspiring young actors! Over four exciting days, you’ll immerse yourself in the world of film and learn from an experienced actor and director. This is your chance to shine on camera, develop your skills, and star in a short film project that will be shared online and submitted to film festivals.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Master Vocal Performance: Learn essential vocal techniques to bring your characters to life.
  • Act for the Camera: Perfect your acting, voice, and movement skills tailored specifically for screen performance.
  • Engaging Exercises: Participate in fun and interactive acting exercises that will enhance your abilities.
  • Improvisation Skills: Build confidence and spontaneity through improvisation, a crucial skill for any actor.
  • Character Development: Dive deep into script work to create compelling and believable characters.
  • Film Set Insights: Gain valuable knowledge about the inner workings of a film set and what to expect.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with fellow participants to complete a professional short film project.
  • Overcome Nerves: Learn practical techniques to manage performance anxiety and deliver your best.

Special Highlights:

  • Short Film Screening: Family and friends will be invited to a special screening of your completed short film approximately two weeks after the workshop.
  • Expert Guidance: The workshop is led by a qualified and experienced educator with a current Working With Children Check, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.

Join us for this transformative experience and take the first step towards your acting dreams. Spaces are limited, so enrol now and let your talent shine!

Students will need to bring their own lunch, snacks and drinks (no energy drinks).

About the facilitator

Erifili Davis is an experienced actor, writer and director and 2024 Dubbo Cultural Person of the Year. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world. She is also an experienced educator and has a current Working With Children approval.

See her projects on IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9565265

How to enrol / additional information

Contact us to receive payment options and our enrolment form or to find out additional information.

E: create@studio138.com.au

P: 0412 763 720

Thrills and Chills Fest – Semi-finalists February 2024

We’re excited to announce our February 2024 monthly semi-finalists of our Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Fest. Our semi-finalist films will be in consideration to be selected for our live screening in October 2024, where the annual winners for each category will be announced.

Find our more about the film festival here:

studio138.com.au/thrills-and-chills

Enter your short film or screenplay on FilmFreeway

Best short film: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Doom Scroll” – dir Roy Weiland

Best short film: Sci-Fi semi-finalists

“Moonbeans: A Tale of Two Astronauts” – dir James G. Maynard

Best sound design semi-finalists

“I Was” – Carlo Loglisci

Best mobile phone or tablet film semi-finalists

“Doom Scroll” – dir Roy Weiland

Best trailer semi-finalists

“I Was”

Best poster semi-finalists

“I Was”

Short film auditions – “Nobody’s Business”

“Nobody’s Business” is a short film written and directed by Erifili Davis.

Set in the 1920s, “Nobody’s Business” is about underworld queen Evelyn who must choose between her love and her reputation. The film It will be shot in Dubbo on May 26, 2024.

Everyone involved will get an IMDB credit and catering will be provided on the set.

We are auditioning for the following characters:

VINCENT (major role) – male, 25 – 55 years old, charming, charismatic, the life of the party. He loves Evelyn but has an underlying resentment about being a ‘kept man’ (small payment to selected actor)

BODYGUARD 1 (small speaking role) – male or male presenting, any age, tough and loyal to Evelyn (small payment to selected actor)

NON-SPEAKING BODYGUARDS (unpaid)

CLUB PATRON EXTRAS (non-speaking) – 18+, all genders, (unpaid) – let us know if you have a special talent!! (unpaid)

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY – come along and have some fun!

We are also looking for musicians who may be interested in playing the jazz songs to be recorded as part of the film.

Auditions will be held this Sunday, March 24, 1 pm to 3 pm. If this time doesn’t suit, let us know and we’ll make other arrangements.

Auditions will be held at Studio 138’s new premises – Unit 1 / 54 Mountbatten Dr.

If you’d like to audition and find out more, click the link to fill out the form:

https://forms.gle/kgDZ5hQwThhnJWR29

If you’d like more information, email create@studio138.com.au

Thrills and Chills Fest – Semi-finalists January 2024

We’re excited to announce our January 2024 monthly semi-finalists of our Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Fest. Our semi-finalist films will be in consideration to be selected for our live screening in October 2024, where the annual winners for each category will be announced.

Find our more about the film festival here:

studio138.com.au/thrills-and-chills

Enter your short film or screenplay on FilmFreeway

Best short film: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Ruined Date” – dir Antonio Rotunno

“Demon Dog” – dir Juliana Purnell

“I Was” – dir Matteo Capatti, Lorenzo Mazzucchi

“La Soglia” – dir Nicolò Tonani, Sofia Gasparetti, Simone Colombo

Best short film: Fantasy semi-finalists

“Tales of the Hunted” – dir Téa Mancini

Best short film: Sci Fi semi-finalists

“Lab Rat” – dir Ben Hargreaves

Best cinematography semi-finalists

“I Was” – Matteo Capatti and Lorenzo Mazzucchi

Best actor semi-finalists

Juliana Purnell (Laura Duncan) – “Demon Dog”

Best sound design semi-finalists

“Tales of the Hunted” – James Thomson, Ned O’Leary

Best visual effects semi-finalists

“Tales of the Hunted” – Karl Johann Te, Thomas Wensor, Amanda Molinari Ortiz

Best mobile phone or tablet film semi-finalists

“Demon Dog”

Screenplay – Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Drip, Drop-” by Irlanda Martinez

“In-Between” by Glenn Lissner

Honourable Mention

“Head-Jobs” (Trailer) – dir Clinton John Connelly

2024 Romance Rules Film Festival – Official Selections & Tickets

Join us for the 2024 screening of the Romance Rules Film Festival. We have a great line-up of short films from around the world all about romance – the good, the bad and the ugly!

When: February 16, 2024 @ 7.30 pm
Venue: Black Box Theatre, Western Plains Cultural Centre,
76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo, New South Wales, 2830
BYO: Drinks & snacks
Some films include adult themes, sexual references and occasional coarse language

Tickets: $12 each (including GST) online and at the door

Featured film (non-competition)
“Greek Philosophia And Chickens”

We are so excited to present the award winning short Greek Philosophia And Chickens, written by Despina Moraitu Politzi, directed by Aimiende Negbenebor Sela and starring Germaine Gaudet (How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood, River of Ghosts), Brian D Cohen (Nash Bridges, The Rookie), Lukas Hassel (Blacklist, Slapface, Limitless) and Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Gigli, Tango Shalom).

Part drama, part comedy with a hint of romance, Greek Philosophia and Chickens follows a sixty-something best-selling romance author who, feeling invisible as woman, hires an assassin to take her out. An encounter with chef/restaurant owner, Niko, and his vivacious waitress mother, Katina, from whom she learns a Greek philosophy/saying that really gets her thinking maybe…?

Official Selections

Beta Days, dir Dan Walls (Australia)

A Rose in the Mud, dir Kailey McComas (United States)

Bud, dir Jamie Martinez (United States)

For a Moment, dir Coco Tolentino (United States)

Dear Heartbreak, dir Ffion Pritchard (United Kingdom)

The Holidaze of Noelle Snow, dir Courtney Anne McLaren (United States)

Slow Dating, dir Adam Szudrich (Australia)

TutuTango, dir Dorothee Elfring, Michael Finbar Sheehan (United States)

All official selections will be eligible to be voted as “Audience Favourite”.

Finalists

Category winners will be announced at the end of the screening.

Best Cinematography

  • Brendan Williams – Slow Dating
  • Ryan Chernin – Bud
  • Mariam Salahvarzi – For a Moment

Best Actress

  • Julie Collis – Slow Dating
  • Janina Picard – Bud

Finalists best song/music/soundtrack/score

  • Noah Berry – The Holidaze of Noelle Snow
  • Michael Lira – Slow Dating

Thrills and Chills Fest – Semi-finalists December 2023

We’re excited to be announcing our December 2023 monthly semi-finalists of our Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Fest. Our semi-finalist films will be in consideration to be selected for our live screening in October 2024, where the annual winners for each category will be announced.

Find our more about the film festival here:

studio138.com.au/thrills-and-chills

Enter your short film or screenplay on FilmFreeway

Best short film: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Chrissy” – dir Larry Collicott

“Play Deaf” – dir Yorgos Keramydas

“Hidden Prey” – dir Kalina Davis

Best short film: Sci Fi semi-finalists

“Reboot” – dir Chris Qi Yao

“Unit 17: Week 3” – dir David Kaye & Theresa Stefaniak

Best director semi-finalists

Kalina Davis – “Hidden Prey ”

Best actor semi-finalists

Milla Ross (Caitlin) – “Hidden Prey

Georgie Saunders (Amber) – “Hidden Prey”

Best poster semi-finalists

“Chrissy”

“Hidden Prey”

Best trailer semi-finalists

“Chrissy”

“Hidden Prey”

Best sound design semi-finalists

David Kaye – “Unit 17:Week 3”

Best visual effects semi-finalists

Kalina Davis & Daniel Rutter- “Hidden Prey ”

Best mobile phone or tablet film semi-finalists

“Hidden Prey”

Thrills and Chills Fest – Semi-finalists November 2023

We’re excited to be announcing our very first monthly semi-finalists of our Thrills and Chills Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Fest. Our semi-finalist films will be in consideration to be selected for our live screening in October 2024, where the annual winners for each category will be announced.

Find our more about the film festival here:

studio138.com.au/thrills-and-chills

Enter your short film or screenplay on FilmFreeway

Best short film: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Defiance” – dir Kalli Reid 

“They’re Coming” – Camy “Cameron” Arnett

“Halcyon” – dir Brenton McNally

Best short film: Fantasy semi-finalists

“Hinter-Land” – dir Christopher Angus

Best short film: Sci Fi semi-finalists

“Oblivious” – dir Rafael Star

Best director semi-finalists

Camy “Cameron” Arnett – “They’re Coming”

Christopher Angus – “Hinter-Land”

Best actor semi-finalists

Cameron Arnett as Mr Arnett – “They’re Coming”

Best poster semi-finalists

“They’re Coming”

Best song / score semi-finalists

Paul Shrofel (score) – “Hinter-Land”

Caj Christie (score) – “Halcyon”

Best visual effects semi-finalists

“They’re Coming”

Best sound design semi-finalists

“They’re Coming”

Best screenplay: Horror / Thriller semi-finalists

“Chrysalis” by Lachlan Anderson-Schmidt